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SUBJECT: The heat is on: Congressman's Office Says Constituent Calls Are Harassment
Submitted by
Harumph #11038 from OHIO on
Yesterday, I decided to call Rep. John Garamendi’s (CA-10) office in Washington, D.C. He’s my representative and I wanted to voice
my opposition to the Senate Health Care Bill. I spoke with a female staffer and politely told her that, while I support health
care reform, I oppose the Senate Bill because it wasn’t true “reform.” She said the Congressman thinks it’s a good bill and that
he campaigned on health care reform. I told her I knew that. I also mentioned that I voted for him. When I tried to give her
specific reasons why the Senate Bill would harm our system rather than reform it, she refused to listen. She said she was very
busy and hung up on me. Being the persistent person that I am, I kept calling back. Each time I tried to finish my point, she
hung up.
I called one more time. This time she said, “If you call one more time, we will notify Capital Police.” I asked why my conduct
warranted involving federal law enforcement agents. She said I was “harassing” her. I tried to explain that trying to convince
a representative to change his or her vote didn’t constitute “harassment.” Before I could fully explain, she hung up again.
I called back. This time, I asked to speak to her supervisor in order to report her repeated hanging up as well as the threat
she made. I was placed on hold. Thinking I was holding for her supervisor, I was shocked when a Federal Agent with the Capital
Police picked-up the telephone.
At first, the Agent was curt with me. He claimed I was harassing Mr. Garamendi’s staff by continually calling after being told
to stop calling. I asked him when it became a federal crime to lobby a congressman. He said that it wasn’t but it was a crime
to “harass” congressional members and staff pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 223. I told him I was an attorney (which I am) and that I
would research the statute he had cited.
After researching 47 U.S.C. 223, I called Mr. Garamendi’s office again and asked to be transferred back to the Capital Police
Agent. The Agent picked up the phone and I explained to him that the statute he cited was not controlling since it only
prohibits people from calling with the specific intent to harass. I further explained that I was simply trying to voice my
concerns with the intent of getting Mr. Garamendi to change his mind, not to harass his staff. The Agent eventually agreed
with my position and said he would call Mr. Garamendi’s office and instruct his staff that I was within my rights to call my
congressman and voice my concerns.
After I hung up, I realized that this story should be told. Besides being an attorney, I’ve also had the privilege of serving
this great country in the United States Marine Corps. Having seen the ugly legislative process the Senate Bill had been
through, I saw this as not just another tactic to pass the Senate Bill at all costs, but also as an affront to our liberties.
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.
During my final contact with Mr. Garamendi’s staff, it was confirmed to me that he would vote for the Senate Bill no matter
what. I was told that I was wasting my time by calling. Mr. Garamendi is a junior member of the House of Representatives. He
was just elected via a special election last November. He has made it clear that he is willing to forsake his constituents
in order to please the Speaker of the House.
****
Sit down and shut up Americans!!!
Your betters know what is good for you. So just STFU and let us get back to the business of bringing this nation to its knees!
Keep the above story in mind as your officials try to threaten you not to call.
The MOST CORRUPT administration in the history of this great nation!
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RickK (74.96.121.196) from VIRGINIA says .......and they don't respond to constituents letter either!
They all need to go! The local dog catcher would be a better representative!
Geez Rumphy for a minute I thought this was YOUR letter and not a cut and paste.
I'm disappointed!
Have you PERSONALLY written or called or are you like the 90% of colonists that didn't support the American Revolution?
RickK
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