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If you're in the UK and were thinking of writing to your MP, use this form to do so: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/extremeinternetl http://www.38de

by m0nty 17y ago

If you're in the UK and were thinking of writing to your MP, use this form to do so: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/extremeinternetl http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/extremeinternetl You don't even need to be particularly detailed or articulate. I used to work for a political campaign and the mantra from our lobbyist was "Politicians do not read their mailbags. They weigh them."

bensummers 17y ago
However, our lovely UK politicians have a history of counting all the many responses from a campaign as "one response" from a single organisation, then disregarding it as a minority view. Lobbyists are so much easier to listen to than constituents. I'm wondering if there's merit in hiring some to represent the interests of the wider population? Perhaps we could call them MPs.
- m0nty 17y ago
  That's right. Better to not write, not participate, not change anything. Nothing can be done, after all, so don't do anything.
  - bensummers 17y ago
    Where did I say anything about not contributing to the bulging postbag? It's not that I don't believe in expressing views to those who are supposed to represent me, it's just that I have very little faith that my view counts for anything. When the system rejects rationality and evidence, and is perfectly happy to explicitly state that this is what they do (eg Prof David Nutt's experience), should I expect millions of voices to make a difference? I am not apathetic or disengaged, I just suspect that I don't have enough money for my view to count for anything. I am depressed about continually getting HTTP 402 response codes from my MP. Should I have a more positive outlook?
    - m0nty 17y ago
      "Should I have a more positive outlook?" Yes, I believe you should and I apologise if I came off a bit snippy. The campaign I was involved with (the PCG, opposing IR35) was ultimately unsuccessful in parliament but won some victories on a case-by-case basis and ultimately made a significant difference to people's lives. In my own case, the Inland Revenue tried to over-tax me but were forced to drop the case because of what the PCG did. Did I feel pleased about that? I think so, yes. I also wrote letters about the RIP Act when that was going through parliament. I wrote to (and met with) my MP, Mark Oaten, who seemed like a thoroughly decent and intelligent man who grokked the issues immediately. I also wrote to Jack Straw, Tony Blair and (because she was saying the right things) Anne Widdecombe, even though I suspect she is in all other respects quite barmy. Of course, they ignored me, afaik. What I think did make a difference was a casual conversation with an acquaintance who turned out to be the Conservative front-bench spokesman in the Lords for Trade and Industry (Francis Lord Northbrook if you're interested). He asked me to write a briefing paper, which I did -- a couple of sides of A4 saying what was wrong with the legislation. He used it as a basis for his response to the RIP Bill, as it was at that time. OK, it shouldn't come down to personal acquaintance but it sometimes does, and if I hadn't written all those futile letters we would never have had the conversation which prompted his request to me. Now to my point: if the situation is really that desperate why even post the article? Just STFU and continue to let them rip you, me and everyone else off. Or you could, you know, engage with the flawed people in this flawed situation and possibly, I don't know, do something to make a difference. Win or lose, I'd rather participate than sit and whine about things. "What did you do during the Internet Wars daddy?"
      - bensummers 17y ago
        I believe I can say that I have done my bit in the Internet Wars so far, and will continue to do so by engaging with the flawed people in this flawed situation. As you point out, posting the article suggests more than a passing interest in the situation. But I see the system as flawed and part of the problem, and have a huge amount of frustration stored up as a result of trying to talk to my elected representatives. Please excuse my whining; it is a symptom of desiring positive change and trying to do something to get there.
pbhjpbhj 17y ago
I used the 38degrees pro forma and got a personal response from my MP the next day. FWIW. He also asked if my specific objection concerned the 3 strikes and I gave him a rather long response which I'm sure his research assistance will enjoy!

by m0nty 17y ago

bensummers 17y ago

However, our lovely UK politicians have a history of counting all the many responses from a campaign as "one response" from a single organisation, then disregarding it as a minority view. Lobbyists are so much easier to listen to than constituents. I'm wondering if there's merit in hiring some to represent the interests of the wider population? Perhaps we could call them MPs.

m0nty 17y ago
That's right. Better to not write, not participate, not change anything. Nothing can be done, after all, so don't do anything.
- bensummers 17y ago
  Where did I say anything about not contributing to the bulging postbag? It's not that I don't believe in expressing views to those who are supposed to represent me, it's just that I have very little faith that my view counts for anything. When the system rejects rationality and evidence, and is perfectly happy to explicitly state that this is what they do (eg Prof David Nutt's experience), should I expect millions of voices to make a difference? I am not apathetic or disengaged, I just suspect that I don't have enough money for my view to count for anything. I am depressed about continually getting HTTP 402 response codes from my MP. Should I have a more positive outlook?
  - m0nty 17y ago
    "Should I have a more positive outlook?" Yes, I believe you should and I apologise if I came off a bit snippy. The campaign I was involved with (the PCG, opposing IR35) was ultimately unsuccessful in parliament but won some victories on a case-by-case basis and ultimately made a significant difference to people's lives. In my own case, the Inland Revenue tried to over-tax me but were forced to drop the case because of what the PCG did. Did I feel pleased about that? I think so, yes. I also wrote letters about the RIP Act when that was going through parliament. I wrote to (and met with) my MP, Mark Oaten, who seemed like a thoroughly decent and intelligent man who grokked the issues immediately. I also wrote to Jack Straw, Tony Blair and (because she was saying the right things) Anne Widdecombe, even though I suspect she is in all other respects quite barmy. Of course, they ignored me, afaik. What I think did make a difference was a casual conversation with an acquaintance who turned out to be the Conservative front-bench spokesman in the Lords for Trade and Industry (Francis Lord Northbrook if you're interested). He asked me to write a briefing paper, which I did -- a couple of sides of A4 saying what was wrong with the legislation. He used it as a basis for his response to the RIP Bill, as it was at that time. OK, it shouldn't come down to personal acquaintance but it sometimes does, and if I hadn't written all those futile letters we would never have had the conversation which prompted his request to me. Now to my point: if the situation is really that desperate why even post the article? Just STFU and continue to let them rip you, me and everyone else off. Or you could, you know, engage with the flawed people in this flawed situation and possibly, I don't know, do something to make a difference. Win or lose, I'd rather participate than sit and whine about things. "What did you do during the Internet Wars daddy?"
    - bensummers 17y ago
      I believe I can say that I have done my bit in the Internet Wars so far, and will continue to do so by engaging with the flawed people in this flawed situation. As you point out, posting the article suggests more than a passing interest in the situation. But I see the system as flawed and part of the problem, and have a huge amount of frustration stored up as a result of trying to talk to my elected representatives. Please excuse my whining; it is a symptom of desiring positive change and trying to do something to get there.

pbhjpbhj 17y ago

I used the 38degrees pro forma and got a personal response from my MP the next day. FWIW. He also asked if my specific objection concerned the 3 strikes and I gave him a rather long response which I'm sure his research assistance will enjoy!