This is the perfect counterpoint to all the grandstanding about calling your representatives. I tried calling both my Senators' offices when one of the "big issues" was going around. (I don't even remember what it was now.) In both cases, I got some aide who 1) couldn't or wouldn't tell me my Senator's position on the bill, and 2) couldn't possibly care less (despite what they said) about my opinion on the matter. I mean, I'm sorry to be pessimistic about it, but on that day, I learned that the average person does NOT, in fact, have any influence in what's going on in Washington. Influencing legislation is a right reserved for campaign contributors. Until we get serious about "getting money out of politics," that will be the case.