Today biggovernment.com posted a story told by a man who was calling his Congressman to attempt to ask him to vote against the current healthcare reform bill and to explain to his Congressman why he is opposed to the bill. The Congressional staffer who answered the phone explained that the Congressman felt that it was a good bill and planned to vote for the bill. When the constituent began to explain his objections to the bill, the staffer explained that she was very busy and hung up on him. The caller called back to attempt to finish his point. Each time she hung up on him, he called back. Eventually, the caller asked to speak to the staffer's supervisor and was put on hold. Eventually the line was picked up by a Capital Police Agent who charged the caller with harrassment under a specific law. Fortunately, the caller was a lawyer who was able to check on the law. After researching the law, the caller called the Capital Police Agent back and explained why he was not guilty of harrassment. The Policeman agreed and said that he would explain that to the Congressman's staff. When the caller again contacted the Congressman's office, he was told that the Congressman was going to vote for the bill regardless of the arguments made.
The caller points out:
"While I'm fortunate enough to be able to legally challenge what happened today, others aren't. The sad part is the democrats know this. They know that Americans unfamiliar with federal jurisprudence can easily be silenced when threats to involve federal agents are made. They know that most Americans don't want trouble and they'll go away rather than face the possibility of having to explain themselves to federal agents. That's why I found this tactic appalling, as a Marine, as an attorney and as a proud American."
The willingness of a Congressman to ignore the wishes of the people he is supposed to represent is troubling. The fact that he attempted to scare away someone who disagreed with his vote by threatening police action is just wrong.
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