Senator Elizabeth Dole Doesn't Seem to Care
So why is it I don't think my opinion matters to Elizabeth Dole? A mitigating factor is another poor experience with her district office. This time I was contacting my representatives to urge them not to co-sponsor or vote for the Federal Marriage Amendment. (It's basically an amendment to OUR Constitution that singles out a group of citizens, effectively promoting prejudice against them and legally creating second-class citizenship.)
I first called Senator Dole's district office and stated simply my name, that I am a constituent and that I urge her not to co-sponsor or vote for the Federal Marriage Amendment - Senate Joint Resolution 26. The staffer simply said she'd pass the message along. Um, OK.
Next, I called Senator Edwards' district office. I relayed the same statement I'd just given Senator Dole's staffer. Senator Edwards' staffer was very professional, taking down my contact information and position on the issue and telling me I would receive a letter or a phone call addressing my concern. He said he'd fax the information to D.C. immediately.
Next, I called Representative Coble's district office. Again, I relayed the same information (except House Joint Resolution 56). Representative Coble's staffer was also quite professional, acting in much the same measure as Senator Edwards' staffer.
Considering the way my last 2 calls went, I called Senator Dole's office again and asked why my contact information had not been requested on my first call. She (a different staffer) could not tell me why it was not, but that S. O. P. was to collect such information. She was courteous and professional and requested the information. I also told her of my other experience with that office (detailed in this blog), to which she commented that the voicemail picks up when all staffers are on other calls. I suggested they change the greeting to inform callers of such, that the current greeting makes it seem as though the office is closed during its normal office hours. I also suggested they provide an option for callers to leave a message, like Senator Edwards' system does. She said she would relay all of that. (To whom I don't know and should've asked.)
I really do not feel as though I'm "heard" by Senator Dole. I feel strongly that Senator Edwards and Representative Coble do hear me, even when we disagree.
I first called Senator Dole's district office and stated simply my name, that I am a constituent and that I urge her not to co-sponsor or vote for the Federal Marriage Amendment - Senate Joint Resolution 26. The staffer simply said she'd pass the message along. Um, OK.
Next, I called Senator Edwards' district office. I relayed the same statement I'd just given Senator Dole's staffer. Senator Edwards' staffer was very professional, taking down my contact information and position on the issue and telling me I would receive a letter or a phone call addressing my concern. He said he'd fax the information to D.C. immediately.
Next, I called Representative Coble's district office. Again, I relayed the same information (except House Joint Resolution 56). Representative Coble's staffer was also quite professional, acting in much the same measure as Senator Edwards' staffer.
Considering the way my last 2 calls went, I called Senator Dole's office again and asked why my contact information had not been requested on my first call. She (a different staffer) could not tell me why it was not, but that S. O. P. was to collect such information. She was courteous and professional and requested the information. I also told her of my other experience with that office (detailed in this blog), to which she commented that the voicemail picks up when all staffers are on other calls. I suggested they change the greeting to inform callers of such, that the current greeting makes it seem as though the office is closed during its normal office hours. I also suggested they provide an option for callers to leave a message, like Senator Edwards' system does. She said she would relay all of that. (To whom I don't know and should've asked.)
I really do not feel as though I'm "heard" by Senator Dole. I feel strongly that Senator Edwards and Representative Coble do hear me, even when we disagree.
