If we make noise, Ken Salazar will listen

From Jan after a meeting with Richard Skorman, Ken Salazar's representative here in the Springs:

Richard Skorman made me rethink my position regarding online petitions. He made it clear that when our Senator does not hear from us regarding an issue – any issue – he thinks that the issue isn’t important to us and so votes only according to his own opinion; or worse, votes in accord with the conservative constituents he does hear from!

When he does hear from progressives, it lets him know that the issue is important to us and how we feel about it. Skorman made me realize just how important it is for us to keep on signing those petitions, sending him letters, and making phone calls. He still may not always vote the way we want, but at least he’s more knowledgeable about our position on issues than he would be if he didn’t hear from us.

Imagine if we stayed mute on an issue while the many conservatives in our area waged a campaign of signatures and/or phone calls. Salazar would get a lopsided perspective on how his constituency viewed the issue, which could lead him to vote more conservatively than we want. We have a duty to make sure our side is represented. Please think about that the next time you pass up a petition convinced that our Senator already believes as we do about the issue and so doesn’t need to hear from us.

Our voice is the only weapon we have other than our vote. When our choices come down to Coors v. Salazar it’s our vote that counts. But when the election is over, our post-election voice becomes the far more important weapon. Let’s keep it oiled and honed.

Jan Hejtmanek

Ken won't agree with us on everything. Jan's right. The least we can do is make sure he knows our views. He works for us, not Focus or Dobson or New Life alone. But they are organized and committed and noisy. As we should be, too.

Ken Salazar contact page:

Pikes Peak Region
3 South Tejon, Suite 300B
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 328-1100
Fax:(719) 328-1129

Staff:
Richard Skorman, Regional Director
Angela Joslyn, Regional Representative
Josh Still, Staff Assistant