Kincora1014’s Weblog

Monday night, a group of individuals I had been assisting back in Michigan contacted me via telephone (I gave one of the group my number and asked they be my central contact-I do not necessarily feel comfortable passing out my contact information, but the community college is still not available for assistance in this regard).  They had recieved form letters from their respective representatives about the recent budget agreements, and were angry and confused why they were recieving responses that did not address their concerns specifically, why everything was so impersonal.  I suggested they try calling the next morning to get the one-on-one interaction they desired, while I was looking up phone numbers on my computer.  Before I had the numbers on my screen, however, they informed me that they had all been trying (this was a group of 11 individuals) throughout the past two days but no phones were being answered, and their faxes were not going through either.

 I tried to calm their anger, though it was certainly not addressed to me, and I explained that after such a huge issue they were not the only ones likely to be in contact with their representatives and that they need to have some patience.   That being said, and with everyone off the phone, I wrote up some questions for a few of these government offices, including the office of Jennifer Granholm and called a contact I have who has a few of the lesser known government phone numbers.

Yesterday, I spent several hours on the phone waiting for my elected officials to become ‘available’ to speak with me.  Explaining I was leading a group of concerned individuals in my specific county who were feeling slighted, I was granted access to the Governor’s secretary’s page, or some similar employee.  I was only disconnected a few dozen times.  Nevertheless, perhaps it was best I was forwarded to this person, because what I was informed of is sickening, to say the least, and most likely not something a public relations person would share.

Apparently, for the past several weeks, the lines of communication were jammed as concerned citizens were calling, faxing, emailing, even visiting the offices to make their voices heard.  The page informed me that all fax machines not linked internally had been shut off days before the budget deadline and have not since been returned to normal recieving status, but should be within the next week or two.  Emails are being forwarded to an account to be sorted when time is available, and the governor is not accepting calls from the public at this time.  “May I leave a message?”  I inquired.  Our governor is not accepting those either, it seems.

A few of the smaller, local representatives are somewhat available-and I sent a quick list to my group contact of those who were.  It is important to note, though, those who are accepting calls, emails, faxes and the like are nearly exclusively those who opposed the tax increases.   I imagine there are many reasons why this is the case, but I am not going to make any public assumptions, nor to my group.  I will allow them to make what they will of it, and provide contact information where I can. 

I am rather at a loss what to say to these people, but they have been acting overly greatful that I was able to help them as much as I have thus far and they are asking when I can next organize a class.  I am not quite sure what to make of this situation-I feel as though I am helping people feel they can take an active role in politics, yet I also feel I am indirectly making them feel as though ultimately there is nothing that can be done.

One funny little thing I was reflecting back on, as I was talking to Meg-my group contact-is how excited these people were when I was teaching them about the computers…they really did not want to leave, and as the day wore on Meg went out and brought back pizza for everyone (a collection was taken up at the end, even though she insisted it was no problem, which I thought was sweet). 

There is some part of me enjoying this, I wonder if I should consider getting involved in some sort of advocacy group.