I am a South Floridian in Rep. Wasserman Schultz's district. I have been a proud supporter of hers in the past, but in the past few weeks have been very disappointed in her decisions and advocacy....
As a constituent, I have called Rep. Schultz's office several times to voice my concerns or more often than not my praise for her. I have always been greeted with courtsey and respect exceeding that in most other congressional offices I have called. When I lobbied against the Iraq war last January, her staff was exceptionally receptive and welcoming and seemed to take my opinion into consideration even though I am but a lowly college age voter.
The past few weeks have been different however. Disappointed with the Florida house delegations opposition to a re-vote primary Florida Dems Abandon Mail-In Vote Plan, and upset with Rep. Schultz's decision not to strongly oppose republican incumbents or support strong democratic challangers, Why we fight, or, why Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a problem I tried to call her office to voice my opinion. On my first attempt, I was told that the re-vote was a purely political matter and that her aides were uninterested in feedback on it. I mentioned that since she was my political representative, she should take my opinion on such matters as a constituent. I had to force the aide to write down a message, which I am sure was summarily discarded and was again told that they had no power over the matter. I was also told that the support for democratic challengers was not an issue that they covered, and to call the Florida Democratic Party. I tried again a few days later after reading more upsetting stories and seeing the re-vote become a no go, and received a similar reception. I asked the aide for the number of the Florida Democratic Party, and gave them a call only to be deferred back to Rep. Schultz's office again.
It is extremely upsetting to find my Rep. suddenly so unresponsive and representative. Indeed, it feel like a betrayal because she always seemed so open and willing when speaking about issues that all democrats can rally around and agree upon. Once the ground shifts to the difficult choices we hope all politicians are qualified to make, I find her lacking the courage to even take feedback from loyal supporters.
How disgraceful and disappointing
Daniel Ortner
Symphonyofdissent