A letter from the Office of the SpeakerReading between the lines!

by Dr. Bill Smith: ARRA Editor: Today, the mail brought me a surprise letter from the Office of Speaker, US House of Representatives., Congress of the Unites States. It was signed by Nancy Pelosi (or at least machine signed). After all the letters I have written, I was in "awe" to be holding this official envelope with a letter addressed to me. I wondered -- to what issue was the Speaker responding; what would be her positions -- or excuses. I had received letters from the President, from Senators, Congressmen, business leaders, clergy and candidates running for office, kids -- and oh yes, my granddaughters. But I had never received a letter from the Democrat Speaker of the House.

The letter, dated July 23, 2007, took only three weeks to arrive. Must have been the US Post Office; it couldn't have been the staff with Pelosi's free mailing privileges. But I have to give her staff credit, they sent me her response. Maybe they delayed her response, so she could be on congressional recess when I received her response. What was she going to say. I gathered my wife to me and said, let's read this together -- a response from Nancy Pelosi. The letter was addresses respectfully and I believe it best to share the entire body of the letter so that you may relish her response:

Dear Dr. Smith,
Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts about an issue important to our nation. I encourage you, if you have not already, to contact your particular Member of Congress on this issue as well.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I appreciate your comments and look forward to continuing to communicate on matters of concern.
Sincerely,
{signed}
NANCY PELOSI
Speaker of the House

I transitioned from "awe" to "concern." Why had the United States Speaker of the House (or her staff) sent me a response that said nothing of substance - failing even to identify one of the many issues on which I had communicated to her. Then, I had the fleeting thought that as a Democrat she had nothing to say.

But on reading again the letter that on any other occasion would have been an inept response, I suddenly saw her true response -- or at least the response of her staff -- to all my letters. Yes, it was unwritten but it was still there between the two short paragraphs. I started to laugh. I was honored that the Democrat Speaker of the House or her staff would even send me such a silent reply. Do you see it! It's right to the point. "Don't bother writing me again you sorry "$&%#." I don't need hearing from John Q public."

Should I stop writing and faxing her? No, I think, I will continue. I am looking forward to the next response. Will they say the same thing with fewer words or maybe even respond to a real issue with a position? Please continue to write, fax, and send email the leaders of Congress, your congressional delegation, the White House, cabinet members, etc. Not only is it good for your soul, it makes a difference, and maybe you too will get a reply where the message is unwritten between the lines.

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Tags: Arkansas Republican Assembly, ARRA, Bill Smith, Democrat, letter, Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the house To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!