How many of you engage with your representatives on a regular basis?
Posted by PhilRubdiez@reddit | Libertarian | View on Reddit | 18 comments
I was looking at my dog today, and thought to myself, “Why am I paying $25 to the government to let me keep him in my house?” So, I decided to write my local county official to see where that money is going. I actually plan to write one bureaucrat a day for the next year.
My question is: how many people here actually petition/contact the government on a routine basis? Like many, I’ve had to deal with them extensively for personal reasons (DoD, VA, FAA, IRS, etc.) However, this is one of the few times I’ve gone out of my way to try and get answers and change things. Just curious what you guys do.
HealthyHelicopter109@reddit
Wtf. Where do you live. I got mines for free and dont pay a dime as long as I keep my cats and dogs off the streets. I live in Los Angeles btw
jcutta@reddit
Why do you have to pay to have a dog? I've never heard of that before.
PhilRubdiez@reddit (OP)
Dog license. $25/yr to the county.
JadesterZ@reddit
Wtf? What state are you in? I've lived all over and never heard of this.
PhilRubdiez@reddit (OP)
Ohio. It’s apparently a state law, as the government lady emailed me. It’s for dog shelters.
Excellent_Fact9536@reddit
Is there a reason you’re still paying?! Like, is there an animal registry or some shit that does annual checks? Because I feel like you can easily get away with evading that yearly fee.
PhilRubdiez@reddit (OP)
I haven’t in about 3 years. It’s not really a bother, either. I’m just mad that I’d have to do it anyway.
Normal_Occasion_8280@reddit
Because you an obedient and compliment soul who loves to follow silly rules.
EarlBeforeSwine@reddit
“Where is the money going,” is the wrong question. The question should be, “why is a person’s desire to have a dog in their home something that the county is willing to use violence to control?”
You couldn’t pay me to have a dog inside my house… but I am infuriated on your behalf that you are paying extra for that particular slice of hell.
LongestSprig@reddit
Andy Harris?
Why bother, he's just there to collect a pay check and go through the motions.
DanTheAdequate@reddit
"Engage" is maybe a generous word. Mostly I just send them emails talking about how useless they are.
mojochicken11@reddit
When it comes to municipal government you might have a chance but anything above that is a waste of time. They just make up word salad about how they care about everything but commit to nothing.
CCWaterBug@reddit
A letter a day?
I see an HOA board membership in your future
PhilRubdiez@reddit (OP)
The HOA doesn’t force me to pay for having a canine companion. I could give a shit less what my neighbor does (as long as he doesn’t throw dog shit over the fence, RANDY!).
Tasty_Impress3016@reddit
Yeah, mostly. It's not letter writing or email or phone calls, but I'm on several political committees, so I see them at those things. My state representative is a neighbor and friend. My state senator I don't see too often. She moves so fast no one really sees her. She's over 70 and I can't keep up with her. My US representative, I see occasionally. We don't get along all that well because of some things he did in local government, but you can't hold grudges all that long in politics you have to work with people.
My US senators I don't try. We simply lack a common language to communicate.
But I am one of "those people" who go down to the state house when they are having public hearings and at least put my name on the list.
Majestic-Bluejay3057@reddit
I contacted my township rep and the county land use rep and the county health department rep. It was once about my Nextdoor neighbor dumping grey water into my yard. Same personnel about neighbor adding clay into his lot a silting into my yard.
Also, I’ve contacted Senators and House rep about a number budget issues. Also, state Senator and state Hose rep.
Also contacted township highway department about street snow filled making driving impossible.
The locals were responsive, the state and federal generated BS responsive.
Also served jury three times was called to serve five times twice sat for a whole day and was released from duty.
gofish223@reddit
Was calling them daily when the suppressor changes were being discussed
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