This will be short. The entire country is livid, freaking out, up in arms, gathering pitchforks, right? That's what you'd think from the blogosphere. But it just ain't so. Call your reps and senators. See below for why.
I just moved from IL-15, represented by the sometimes surprisingly independent Republican Tim Johnson. Not my main man, but he was the one House Republican who voted with the angels on FISA back in June.
Anyway, I just moved to Vermont (woo-hoo!) where the entire delegation is on the right side of the bailout debacle. So like a good Illinois citizen, I decided to cast my vote where it's most useful! Well, sort of. I still own my IL house, and haven't voted in VT yet, so I thought it would be forgivable to call my old Rep as if I were still his constituent.
Here's the thing. I called his district office around noon Central time, and asked the staffer if she'd had a lot of calls on the bailout plan. She said, none. So after I gave her my polite earful (to which she was entirely sympathetic), calls were running 100% against the bill.
That's it. My whole point. Take it or leave it. Don't assume others will yell for you.
Peace.