The Right To Petition: Does it include a right to a RESPONSE ???

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  • DriftingByTheStorm
    DriftingByTheStorm Posts: 8,684
    chopitdown wrote:
    i don't think you do have the right to a response; I think it would be great if we could get responses but the right to a response is crazy. They will respond if enough people mobilize and take effort. If there was indeed a right to a response they'd each have to hire so many more staffers just to respond to every email, letter etc and that seems like a big waste of money. If enough people write in about the same topic, there will be responses.
    edit: and isn't ignoring a petition / letter etc... still a response?

    Chopitdown, you have effectively just argued that the constitution no longer applies to our government because the government has essentially OUTGROWN the constitution ... that because the federal government has mushroomed to such a unweildy size that it can no longer be bothered with the constraints of the constitution which implemented said government, and that it should no longer be held accountable and answerable to the people which wrote said constitution.

    Please go read the sections of the Request for Rehearing that i posted that quote multiple historic sources which seem to clearly indicate the EXPRESSED INTENT OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS that WE ARE TO HAVE OUR PETITIONS ANSWERED else we should WITHOLD GOVERNMENT FUNDING (ie. TAXES) ...

    read it.
    ;)
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
    If I opened it now would you not understand?
  • DriftingByTheStorm
    DriftingByTheStorm Posts: 8,684
    michaelcassio wrote:
    this summer i have interned for a u.s. senator and here is my take on your idea. i'll go ahead and tell you that i didn't read any of your links because my opinion was already formed on this issue.

    i go through the mail everyday. some of it is serious, much of it is not. there is one constituent who writes in everyday on little postcards. his handwriting is not legible, he does not form complete sentences and does not use propper punctuation. i'm not saying everyone must write perfectly, but if you are going to contact your local representative, take it seriously and be professional.

    this man babbles about rediculous things everyday and in my opinion, does not need a response everyday and probably isn't even looking for one. many people just like to bitch and have nothing better to do.

    say your idea for an amendment passed and every government official was required to write a response. well, say one letter slipped throught cracks or an intern like myself accidentally threw it away (you and me are human, we make mistakes). now the senator/rep./whomever, has denied your constitutional rights. will he now be sued, impeached from office...? all over a lost constituant letter?

    drifting, i tried to give you a serious response. your posts, however, are a little thick for A MESSAGE BOARD. remember the forum in which your speaking.

    and jlew, that shit was funny.

    Michael,
    what we are talking about here are formal petitions ... picture something a lawyer would write ... we aren't talking about postcards ... I agree, every crazy loon shouldn't be allowed to bug congress, but well written professional inquiries regarding CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS aboslutely should be addressed and seem to be the historical norm ...

    again, from the Petition for a Rehearing by We The People ,
    [note, every single sentence here includes a footnote in the PDF]:

    "Congress viewed the receipt and serious consideration of every Petition as an important part of its duties. Congress referred Petitions to committees and even created committees to deal with particular types of Petitions. Ultimately, most Petitions resulted in either favorable legislation or an adverse committee report."


    Also please note, i am not asking for an ammendment. Actually I am not asking for anything. This is all verbatim from Wethepeople.org ... but what is being argued is that this IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, not something that requires legislation ...

    western government has been expected to answer petitions, historically, since at least as far back as the 1700's!
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
    If I opened it now would you not understand?
  • michaelcassio
    michaelcassio Posts: 72
    DriftingByTheStorm wrote:
    Michael,
    what we are talking about here are formal petitions ... picture something a lawyer would write ... we aren't talking about postcards ... I agree, every crazy loon shouldn't be allowed to bug congress, but well written professional inquiries regarding CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS aboslutely should be addressed and seem to be the historical norm ...

    again, from the Petition for a Rehearing by We The People ,
    [note, every single sentence here includes a footnote in the PDF]:

    "Congress viewed the receipt and serious consideration of every Petition as an important part of its duties. Congress referred Petitions to committees and even created committees to deal with particular types of Petitions. Ultimately, most Petitions resulted in either favorable legislation or an adverse committee report."


    Also please note, i am not asking for an ammendment. Actually I am not asking for anything. This is all verbatim from Wethepeople.org ... but what is being argued is that this IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, not something that requires legislation ...

    western government has been expected to answer petitions, historically, since at least as far back as the 1700's!

    thanks, i just wanted to clear things up and establish exactly what you are talking about. i will take a look at your links.

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