What’s driving you crazy?

Editor’s Note - The following was sent to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-TX. The matter already has been covered in a previous posting, Did Rep. Michael Burgess break the rules? No, the rules just suck. Mr. Burgess has written to me that he did not violate the rules, ergo he did nothing wrong. The voters may decide if they agree with him.

I wish to point out a serious ethics problem the House of Representatives has relating to electronic newsletters.
On the Senate side, they have imposed the same rules on electronic newsletters as apply to “franked” newsletters sent out through the postal service. The rule, as it appears on the internet, is posted at the end of this message along with the url.

Last election, on 1 November 2006, I received an electronic newsletter from my representative, 26th Congressional District of Texas Rep. Michael Burgess. It was a “review” of the work he has done and a rundown of his record during the past two years. You may see for yourself here http://www.whatsdrivingyoucrazy.com/images/BurgessNovemberNewsletter.pdf .

It was little more than political campaign material at the taxpayers’ expense. Anyone who says it costs no more is welcome to start paying my hosting fees and paying for the power to run my computers.

Madame Speaker, this is wrong and you know it. I hope that in his heart Rep. Burgess knows it too. However, he obviously is among the politicians who find it to his advantage to bend every rule he can.

Please move to establish a rule similar to the Senate’s rule cited below prior to the election. You promised to bring accountability and honor back to the House, please don’t do a Hastert on us.

A copy of this will be posted on my blog at www.whatsdrivingyoucrazy.com and will be forwarded to Rep. Burgess.

Sincerely yours,
Lee Dunkelberg

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/general/one_item_and_teasers/internetpolicy.htm
C. RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF INTERNET SERVICES

1. During the 60 day period immediately preceding the date of any primary or general election (whether regular, special, or runoff) for any national, state, or local office in which the Senator is a candidate, no Member may solicit constituent input or inquiries (such as online petitions or opinion polls or issue alerts) using a Senate Internet Server (”World Wide Web and Electronic mail, BLOGs, Podcasting, streaming media, etc.”), unless the candidacy of the Senator in such election is uncontested.

2. Electronic mail may not be transmitted by a Member during the 60 day period before the date of the Member’s primary or general election unless it is in response to a “direct inquiry”. Exceptions to this moratorium include the following: press release distribution to press organizations and email to perform administrative communication. “Direct inquiries” do not include a request to be added to a mailing list, subscription list, or other request to receive future mailings. During the 60 day period, electronic news letters may not be sent out.