First, Some context:
One of my oldest friends challenged me on Facebook to do the ALS Icebucket Challenge. I mentioned this to mk and he suggested that instead of dumping water on our heads, people should be writing their congressman and asking for increased funding to the NIH.
Many people will do the Ice Bucket challenge, make a small donation and feel as though they've done their part -which for ALS, they have. But meanwhile, labs across the country are shutting down because they cannot get adequate funding.
I wrote my congressman David Price (who sits on the Appropriations Commitee a letter (Unfortunately, I didn't save it) saying something to the effect that "I took the Ice Bucket challenge and that while I think it's nice to raise awareness for ALS, the real problem is that the NIH is underfunded. Labs across the country are shutting down and I would like you to pledge to support increased funding for the NIH." --Making it VERY CLEAR that I wasn't writing about ALS funding, but rather funding for the NIH.
It seems clear from his letter that my letter was simply thrown in to what was no doubt a very large pile of ALS Ice Bucket letters. Below is his automated response.
Kind of Lame. [Edit] -But further research shows that he has been a staunch supporter of the NIH. Good on him.
I think hootsbox has had better luck with his direct communications from his congressman.
Go to a town meeting. They're fun to derail. Back when Jay Inslee was my congressman, I went to a town hall meeting. He asked a group of like 30 of us (everybody who showed up) what our primary concerns were. I said "a livable minimum wage." He sorta stared at me like I was from Mars, then stammered a little, and said "I'm not really hearing a lot of discussion about that." I said "you should be. It's one of the most important factors in economic prosperity." He kinda stared at me again and then brought things around to his pet project, The Apollo Alliance. That was 2006. He's governor of Washington now. Guess what.
Are you suggesting that tangentially, from your comments at a town meeting, you were able to make Washington State the highest minimum wage state in the country? Nice work.
Holy hell that lawsuit can't be taken seriously by any court. If allowed, would there be a different minimum wage for national and local businesses? Would states and municipalities not be able to regulate wages at all? Any judge with a head on his shoulders should throw it out.
Of course you didn't get a response! You have to get the message across in six or less words, and you used yours on telling him you did the Ice Bucket Challenge. #ifucantfiturmessagewithin1tweetiwon'tbeabletopayattent'n"k David, this one here, from a Mr. Clown..it..zur.., sez 'I took the Ice Bucket challenge and-' "
"ok, sort it in to the icebucket pile, Kim, thnx"
For sure, but in my defense it was a one paragraph letter. A short paragraph. In Congressman Price's defense, he has called for increased funding for the sciences: His take on partisan politics and the NIH:No one wants to return to the days of the congressional barons, but the inability of Congress to perform stems in part from the decreased power of committee chairs. Winding up his book tour in Washington at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast with reporters, Gates recalled how presidents used to call committee chairs to the White House, and together they decided what needed to be done, “and those guys could deliver,” he said. Price recalls committees serving as “incubators for ideas,” and funding for medical research and the NIH routinely approved, “that was a bipartisan juggernaut.” With today’s austerity, barely 8 percent of NIH approved grants get funded.
from this article
Hey, no, you tried, I figured you wanted to be as succinct as you could. That'd be my game too. And good on him. But... I wonder how he votes on it. A little research tells me that he actually has quite a nice track record concerning science funding in general, but can't commit to doing something for the NIH right now, for whatever reason. I can't figure out if they put the sentence about the NIH in their response because he (or someone on his staff) actually read to the bit past the acronym "ALS", or if it was just in the generic email.
You are right about his track record though. In this regard, it seems Congressman Price is one of the good guys.I can't figure out if they put the sentence about the NIH in their response because he (or someone on his staff) actually read to the bit past the acronym "ALS", or if it was just in the generic email.
I don't know, but my guess is that it was a pre made letter that went out to all Ice Bucketers.
I agree and hope I've made as much clear in the post and comments here. Definitely one of the good guys on this topic and by Texas standards, probably close to messianic
For shame, Mr. Clausnitzer! For shame! How dare you subvert the noble, democratic tradition of our great nation, by seeking favors for your special interest! Our revolutionary heroes fought and died to rescue us from the oppressive rule of the king and his connected elite. No more do we live under the tyrrany of the few! The people decide, with one vote for each adult white male property owner (and female property owners in New Jersey). As long as you can pass a literacy test (or your grandpa was white), a fair, equal voice in our governance is guaranteed. Some restrictions* apply. How dare you take advantage of your leisure, education and wealth to ask for special favors! Cast your ballot and keep quiet for four years! *Depending on your era and juristiction, you may be required to name all sixty-seven county judges of Alabama, have a penis, pay a tax, be old enough to buy beer, live outside the nation's capital, and/or speak English.
you may be required to name all sixty-seven county judges of Alabama, have a penis, pay a tax, be old enough to buy beer, live outside the nation's capital, and/or speak English.
-with my eyes closed.
This is a great suggestion: I will write my Congressman, Mark Meadows this weekend. Everyone should take part in this process not only for this topic, but also any others. We need more people actively engaged in our political process in a positive manner. Good job.
Upon further research, it doesn't seem he needs any convincing. He's a pretty staunch supporter of the NIH. My bad for not doing my due-diligince prior to writing and just assuming every congressman doesn't push for increased funding.
That is a very good point. Him knowing that we are behind him can only help strengthen his convictions and give him the needed ammunition to convince his peers.