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I'm going to play devil's advocate here and suggest that if political involvement is what we're shooting for, robo-calling your representatives isn't the best w

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and suggest that if political involvement is what we're shooting for, robo-calling your representatives isn't the best way to achieve true reform. Pissed that the NSA (or insert gov agency here) is running amok? Get involved in your government, vote out the lawmakers who let/made [it] happen, and advocate for and vote in representatives who will invoke the change you want. Appealing to the public in this manor encourages laziness and while it may be "practical" (as we can't expect everyone to throw themselves into the process) I don't think it's the best long term solution. Not trying to torpedo this movement but I cringe whenever I see the words "script" when talking about invoking political or societal change.

declan 13y ago
Can you give us a list of "representatives who will invoke the change you want?" Are there any? You are correct, though, that following the DC pattern of "follow this script while calling your congresscritters" is insufficient. This turns privacy advocates/Internet users into just another special interest group -- which is dwarfed by AARP (40+ million members) or the NRA (which managed to defeat congressional efforts at more firearm restrictions last year despite the most favorable climate for gun banning in two decades). The HN community can do better than mere phone calls. Here are some of my suggestions from 12 years ago: http://news.cnet.com/2010-1023-971115.html http://news.cnet.com/2010-1023-971115.html
- josefresco 13y ago
  Great article, I enjoy the input from someone who was or is "inside DC" and isn't looking at this issue purely from a tech/IT angle. I'm not suggesting I have a list of lawmakers to vote out, just that in an effort to enact political change we should become part of the process, not just the members (as you stated so well) of another special interest group.

declan 13y ago

Can you give us a list of "representatives who will invoke the change you want?" Are there any? You are correct, though, that following the DC pattern of "follow this script while calling your congresscritters" is insufficient. This turns privacy advocates/Internet users into just another special interest group -- which is dwarfed by AARP (40+ million members) or the NRA (which managed to defeat congressional efforts at more firearm restrictions last year despite the most favorable climate for gun banning in two decades). The HN community can do better than mere phone calls. Here are some of my suggestions from 12 years ago: http://news.cnet.com/2010-1023-971115.html http://news.cnet.com/2010-1023-971115.html

josefresco 13y ago
Great article, I enjoy the input from someone who was or is "inside DC" and isn't looking at this issue purely from a tech/IT angle. I'm not suggesting I have a list of lawmakers to vote out, just that in an effort to enact political change we should become part of the process, not just the members (as you stated so well) of another special interest group.