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Just had an in-depth discussion with a Congressional staffer about the stimulus.
Things I learned during the call, which was to one of my Democratic reps:
* This was a more senior staffer who was taking calls due to the high call volume
* Yes, they know how bad things are
Things I learned during the call, which was to one of my Democratic reps:
* This was a more senior staffer who was taking calls due to the high call volume
* Yes, they know how bad things are
* People are really, really angry
* Pretty much everyone calling in is in favor of more stimulus/survival payments, even constituents from the more conservative part of the state
* Callers are against liability protections as well
* Pretty much everyone calling in is in favor of more stimulus/survival payments, even constituents from the more conservative part of the state
* Callers are against liability protections as well
* Constituents are split on the strategy. Everyone agrees $600 is an insult (and the staffer used that word), but some constituents are so desperate, they’d rather take the $600 than risk asking for more and getting nothing
* The staffer asked me what my negotiating strategy would be.
I told her I felt we had one shot, that there wouldn’t be anymore stimulus after this, especially if the Republicans kept the Senate.
I told her I felt we had one shot, that there wouldn’t be anymore stimulus after this, especially if the Republicans kept the Senate.
The only reason they had come to the table was the Georgia run-offs and that gave us leverage, so let’s use it.
I specifically said, “You have more leverage than you realize” and that people really needed at least $2,000 a month.
I specifically said, “You have more leverage than you realize” and that people really needed at least $2,000 a month.
* The staffer shared the tally sheet format and procedure with me. Every office does it slightly differently, but when you call, they are keenly interested in everything you have to say.
Call your reps and if you need numbers and scripts, try http://5calls.org .
Call your reps and if you need numbers and scripts, try http://5calls.org .
Forgot to add: I told the staffer the Democrats had a messaging problem, that to anyone who wasn’t a political obsessive like me, it seemed as if they were out-of-touch and didn’t care.
