I recently made a phone call to all of my federal elected officials to voice my disdain for all that is A.I.G. and like companies that thumb their nose at the American people. I felt it was my civic duty to voice my opinion to the elected officials of my state; what I didn't realize is that some elected officials still feel they aren't working for the American people.
I called three offices: Senator Arlen Spector, Senator Bob Casey and Representative Joe Sestak.
Both Casey and Sestak's office handled my call, pretty much immediately and answered all my questions, including my inquiry of the current running tally to those calling into the office about this very subject.
Sestak's office gave me the tally in percentage (99% of all persons calling said that A.I.G. and like companies should be forced to give up their bonuses.).
Casey's gave me the current running totals, which was almost 100%).
Specter's office refused.
Yes. Specter's office refused to give me a tally.
It went 'something' like this:
"May I have the current tally of votes?"
"I'm sorry; we can't give that information to you."
"Say again?"
"We can't give that information out. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Why can't you give me the tally?"
"We aren't allowed."
"Geez. I thought that Arlen Specter worked for me. As one of his constituents, as one of the people that vote in his state and as a taxpayer that pays for his lifestyle and that office and even the phone that you're speaking through. One would think that the tally information is actually public record."
"Sir, is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Are you currently keeping a tally of the results?
"Yes."
"Can you give me the tally of the votes. I did pay for it after all."
"Sir, I can take your name and contact information and someone from the Senator's office might contact me about this issue."
"So they will give me the current tally later on?"
'I can't say."
"Why is that?"
"It's not our policy to give out results."
"Ah... Not your policy! I see. I vote. I pay your salary. And you censor what information I may see from my elected officials; so much for transparency."
"Sir, Is there anything else I may do for you today?"
"You've done quite enough."
I wonder if I were the CEO of A.I.G. and I asked the same question; would I have gotten the tally results?
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