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National Write Your Congressmen; For Profit?
Topic Started: Jun 9 2006, 08:41 PM (228 Views)
tomdrobin
Member
Yesterday a gentleman knocked on my door. He represented himself as being involved in legislative research/surveys, that would then be forwarded to members of congres in my district. It sounded kind of legit, so I sat down and went throught the interview. Seemed quite interesting, but I got the impression he was trying to stimulate my interest on "hot button" topics. Anyway to make a long story short, he represented a group called "National Write Your Congressman". He told me about their web site (www.nwyc.com), and explained all of the neat features there. Point/counterpoint (unbiased) write ups of current legislation. Congressional voting records. And, quick links to send e-mails to your congress person. I sounded great, until he showed me business cards of all my friends and neighbors who had signed up for access. And, then informed me I would need to do the same to sign up, plus the little matter of paying him $395. That was a big disappointment, as I thought the whole thing was a great idea up to the point where I discovered I was being pitched for a profit making venture. I informed him thee was no way I was going to pay the $395 for access to the sight. He then came back with $260 for a single membership (the $395 was for me and my wife). I cordially sent him packing. But, was very disappointed that someone would exploit anothers willingness to get involved politically for profit.

Anyone else heard from this group?
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Doesn't look very sophisticated to me, not $395 worth. If you go there, you'll find a lot of clickables that go to government web sites.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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tomdrobin
Member
I found it hard to believe that people would get suckered into this. From the signed cards and names he showed me. One guy I recognized as head of the school board. Another was a local guy running for county clerk. And, several local small business people. People feeling they wanted to make a difference, and not realizing the true value of the service being offered, or being to weak to resist the sales pitch.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Every crowd has a silver lining.
-- PT Barnum
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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tomdrobin
Member
I just found this web site that basically offers the same service for FREE! You can put in your 9 digit zip, and presto if furnishes you information on your federal and state legislature (courts also). And, has links to their e-mail and web pages.

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Another: Contacting Congress.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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