Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) wrote me back re: 20 wk abortion ban

[ChillyMcFreeze]

See also: "I support a culture of life in America [unless you're too poor to buy health insurance.]"

[MrsAxilla]

Response letters are infuriating. It's clear the elected officials didn't even read the comments. Some staffer sorts them into piles -abortion, gun control, whatever. Then the form letter response goes out. It doesn't even matter if you're writing in support or opposition. Both sides get the same response.

[Wrath0fKuus]

I got one of these generic stance on abortion form letters back from each of my state's senators, too. They should have just addressed it to "resident."

[msmerymac]

I got this one from Pat Toomey. Only 2.5 years until I can try to vote him out of office! Sadly, he took Arlen Spector's old seat - a guy who certainly had more class compared to most of these buffoons.

"Thank you for taking the time to contact my office about the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S. 1670). I appreciate hearing from you.

While reasonable people may differ on the question of abortion rights, I believe we should all be able to agree on policies that encourage adoption over abortion, that avoid taxpayer funding of abortions, and that allow parental involvement in decisions that involve minors. I will continue to support policies that further these important goals and protect all human life.

Specific to your concerns, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced S. 1670, of which I am a cosponsor, on November 7, 2013. Among its provisions, this measure would prohibit abortions following 20 weeks after fertilization. There are certain exceptions to this prohibition, including for pregnancies due to rape or incest. S. 1670 is currently pending before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, of which I am not a member.

While we may disagree on this issue, I appreciate having your input and the opportunity to respond. Please do not hesitate to contact my office in the future.

Sincerely,

Signature
Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania"


The bolded: Um, no, asshole, we cannot agree on any of those things. Seriously, I guess this is how far apart the two sides are nowadays. There is NO common ground here. 

I love how he does apparently have 2 versions of his response, one for those who agree with him and one for those who don't, but the one for those who don't is dripping with condescension. 

[jillboston]

Jun 5, 2014 13:54:50 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I got this one from Pat Toomey. Only 2.5 years until I can try to vote him out of office! Sadly, he took Arlen Spector's old seat - a guy who certainly had more class compared to most of these buffoons.

"Thank you for taking the time to contact my office about the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S. 1670). I appreciate hearing from you.

While reasonable people may differ on the question of abortion rights, I believe we should all be able to agree on policies that encourage adoption over abortion, that avoid taxpayer funding of abortions, and that allow parental involvement in decisions that involve minors. I will continue to support policies that further these important goals and protect all human life.

Specific to your concerns, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced S. 1670, of which I am a cosponsor, on November 7, 2013. Among its provisions, this measure would prohibit abortions following 20 weeks after fertilization. There are certain exceptions to this prohibition, including for pregnancies due to rape or incest. S. 1670 is currently pending before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, of which I am not a member.

While we may disagree on this issue, I appreciate having your input and the opportunity to respond. Please do not hesitate to contact my office in the future.

Sincerely,

Signature
Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania"


The bolded: Um, no, asshole, we cannot agree on any of those things. Seriously, I guess this is how far apart the two sides are nowadays. There is NO common ground here. 

I love how he does apparently have 2 versions of his response, one for those who agree with him and one for those who don't, but the one for those who don't is dripping with condescension. 

Exactly. What an asshole for him to assume what "reasonable" people can agree on. I guess all us hussies are "unreasonable" then. I expect nothing less from his ilk.

[PinkSquirrel]

Jun 5, 2014 13:38:52 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Response letters are infuriating. It's clear the elected officials didn't even read the comments. Some staffer sorts them into piles -abortion, gun control, whatever. Then the form letter response goes out. It doesn't even matter if you're writing in support or opposition. Both sides get the same response.

This is what annoys me.   It is their job to represent me.  If I know damn well you're not listening to me, then you sure as shit aren't doing a good job representing me.   

[cattledogkisses]

Jun 5, 2014 13:38:52 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Response letters are infuriating. It's clear the elected officials didn't even read the comments. Some staffer sorts them into piles -abortion, gun control, whatever. Then the form letter response goes out. It doesn't even matter if you're writing in support or opposition. Both sides get the same response.

This is why I was very impressed when I wrote to my Senator a few months ago, and not only did I get a fairly detailed letter in response, I also got a phone call from his office in Washington (not him himself, but still).  Now that's responding to your constituents. 

(I wasn't writing about abortion.)

[ttt]

I really love how they phrase it "abort an unborn baby" for two reasons. First, you don't abort a baby, you abort a pregnancy. Second, because then the next phrase "except in cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother.' So, it's okay to abort an unborn baby if the father is a rapist?

Also, what is a "case of the life of the mother"? Has Indiana really cut even grammar from its education system? 

[Deleted]

Marsha Blackburn's office called me today about my last letter to her.

[ESF]

We should start a blog or a tumblr or something for the really tone deaf letters.

[overture]

Jun 5, 2014 13:27:22 GMT -5 jillianashley6 said:

 I believe that all human life should be treated with dignity and respect,

...except in cases where terminating a non-viable pregnancy would be the way to treat that fetus with dignity and respect.

[NewOrleans]

I stopped reading when he used that stupid and false name.

[redheadbaker]

I got the same letter as msmerymac. I meant to post it here a week or two ago and forgot.

Asshole.

[emilyj]

I never got a response from either of my pansy ass senators to my letters.

[Deleted]

Did anyone else notice the reply about 20 weeks after fertilization? So they're not using the same timeline most OBs do, which would name the same time period as about 22 weeks?

Carry on, I just thought that was interesting.

[ttt]

Jun 5, 2014 15:20:04 GMT -5 ESF said:

We should start a blog or a tumblr or something for the really tone deaf letters.

stfucongressmen? 

[ttt]

Apologies to pinksquirrel (and I will delete or credit as you wish)


stfucongressmen.tumblr.com

[ESF]

Jun 5, 2014 21:11:41 GMT -5 ttt said:

Apologies to pinksquirrel (and I will delete or credit as you wish)


stfucongressmen.tumblr.com

I love you.  LOVE.

[VeryViolet]

Jun 5, 2014 20:46:13 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Jun 5, 2014 20:34:49 GMT -5 @vanessadoof said:

Did anyone else notice the reply about 20 weeks after fertilization? So they're not using the same timeline most OBs do, which would name the same time period as about 22 weeks?

Carry on, I just thought that was interesting.

I think the word gestation is creating some ambiguity, but I'm pretty sure we're talking about 18 weeks post fertilization.

I just lurk over here so sorry for butting in. I am pretty sure they are all fucking idiots who don't realize there is a difference. 

[redheadbaker]

Jun 6, 2014 11:14:21 GMT -5 VeryViolet said:

Jun 5, 2014 20:46:13 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

I think the word gestation is creating some ambiguity, but I'm pretty sure we're talking about 18 weeks post fertilization.

I just lurk over here so sorry for butting in. I am pretty sure they are all fucking idiots who don't realize there is a difference. 

You're very welcome to stay

[caffeinezzz]

Genuine question, because I have never written one:

What is your goal in writing? Do you think they are read by the senator at all, or just a flunky? Has anyone ever gotten a really good response? Or is it that a mass of letters is what makes the difference?

[cattledogkisses]

Jun 6, 2014 11:33:13 GMT -5 caffeinezzz said:

Genuine question, because I have never written one:

What is your goal in writing? Do you think they are read by the senator at all, or just a flunky? Has anyone ever gotten a really good response? Or is it that a mass of letters is what makes the difference?

I've never written about abortion or anything terribly controversial, but for the last few years my science research community has written en masse to our respective Senators and Representatives to essentially beg for our research funding.  We had some success last year. 

[ttt]

Jun 6, 2014 11:33:13 GMT -5 caffeinezzz said:

Genuine question, because I have never written one:

What is your goal in writing? Do you think they are read by the senator at all, or just a flunky? Has anyone ever gotten a really good response? Or is it that a mass of letters is what makes the difference?

I seriously doubt that any of mine ever get read by the senator or rep, but I do know that their staff keep track of the number of people writing them about a particular issue. I figure it's worth it just to add my voice to the chorus. If I don't at least let my reps know how I feel about things I care about and that they matter to me, I feel like I can't really complain when they don't do anything about them. 

[NewOrleans]

Jun 6, 2014 11:33:13 GMT -5 caffeinezzz said:

Genuine question, because I have never written one:

What is your goal in writing? Do you think they are read by the senator at all, or just a flunky? Has anyone ever gotten a really good response? Or is it that a mass of letters is what makes the difference?

they're read by flunkies, and just barely read at that, just enough to see what side of the issue and send the appropriate form message in return to me.

It is my-- our-- responsibility to participate in the process, and so I write.  And I call a lot.  When I called, I have actually gotten to talk to my state rep a few times. 

I want to be a voice that is heard.

[caffeinezzz]

This makes sense. Thanks for the input. I'm so naturally cynical that it never occurred to me that it would make an impressionable difference, but I see the arguments for it. Thanks.

[mouse]

Jun 6, 2014 14:02:09 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Jun 6, 2014 11:33:13 GMT -5 caffeinezzz said:

Genuine question, because I have never written one:

What is your goal in writing? Do you think they are read by the senator at all, or just a flunky? Has anyone ever gotten a really good response? Or is it that a mass of letters is what makes the difference?

they're read by flunkies, and just barely read at that, just enough to see what side of the issue and send the appropriate form message in return to me.

It is my-- our-- responsibility to participate in the process, and so I write.  And I call a lot.  When I called, I have actually gotten to talk to my state rep a few times. 

I want to be a voice that is heard.

It seems like occasionally letters will be quoted in debates, so even if I agree with my rep on an issue, if its really important to me I'll also write.

In a lobbying workshop I was told that written letters are given more weight than emails. And of course in your own words is always better.

[sushi]

Conversely, my rep's legislative guy has called me multiple times when I call about extending maternity leave for military members. It probably helps that my reps and I are equally progressive.

I can't say the same thing from when I lived in Nebraska. It was a "thank you for your interest in the life of the unborn" when I was protesting some insane anti-choice law.

[sushi]

En masse emails generally aren't read. You know, the ones that some website has you sign your name to, and they generate a postcard.

Real letters are usually read by a junkie and occasionally passed along.

Phone calls are better.

Plus, it helps to come from a small district. My entire county has less than 40,000 people. Also, we're the ones who elected the guy who called Bush a Klingon. So there's that.

[simplyinpenguin]

I kinda wish that I lived in a conservative area so I could write a congressman a letter. I would ask him what makes him qualified to override a woman's medical decision. What gives him the right to vote on matters pertaining to the opposite gender and only the opposite gender? What male restrictions will be implemented upon the passing of this bill? (Senator) you are committing an act of sexism in your workplace, something that is illegal under federal law and will affect every female in (State).


**Ooo this shit makes me so mad...Women's rights are being suppressed, but they're going to make Viagra available OTC now. I want to see laws that a man is castrated if found guilty of rape (not statutory like 18 with a 16-17), but yet that violates HIS 8th amendment. What about OUR amendment to privacy that is being butchered and mutilated? The fact that it's all staggeringly one sided and they're jumping through their own loopholes every time it gets blocked, federally just to obtain their goal of keeping women barefoot and pregnant, preferably while they're in high school. Don't worry about college, sweetheart, just keep havin' them babies!

[WOT?*]

ttt that is classic. LOVE it.
nursecramer - you should submit yours as well.