Well, one of the things that I have been pondering lately is that at some point senators and congressman started restricting their communciations as to who they would respond to and for some who they would be willing to receive mail from.

The problem I have with this is obvious when it comes to majority leader in the senate. That position is too powerful and all encompassing to act as if you are only serving the constituents of your own state.

Then I feel the same way about committee chairman in the senate and house. I feel I should be able to communicate with them. They have a 'special' privilege of power that I feel should entitle me to access even if they are not my direct representative. Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the house has no such restrictions and I feel that is appropriate. I feel that all american citizens should be able to communicate with representatives outside their direct jurisdiction regarding matters of a committee they are involved in. Otherwise it gives too much power to certain states as far as their citizen input on judiciary issues for example.

I was able to address email to the 'banking committee in the house during the TARP debate, not that they listened to me... but still that was good.

I am curious whether others have encountered this or share similar feelings.

Just had another thought based on a blog title something like we've got Isreal covered like a wet blanket how about the rest of the middle east.

If anyone has the inclination, you know the natural interest in such things, it would be interesting to see an occasional blog updating us on facts and current events of various countries. Plenty to learn there and perhaps not just what may be a crisis or challenge in that country but anything that they may be doing right.