Middle of the road and avoidance from elected officials like our U.S. Senators from Pennsylvania is WRONG on eminent domain....just as it is for other stuff...it shouldn't be all about THEM and what is politically safest or best for THEM, it should be all about the PEOPLE...and not just special interest groups, the well heeled, or politically powerful.

This is what got people even more riled up when it comes to our Senator Arlen Specter, who can be decsribed as middle of the road at best: http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/504 .

Many folks have been contacting Senator Specter on eminent domain (on bills like HR 4128 just to name one) since Mr. Sensenbrenner came to Ardmore. See http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/433 , as one example.

Well folks are writing and phoning Specter. But is Specter listening? Does he give a rat's fanny about eminent domain, really? When you send an e-mail, here’s what you get:

Dear [Insert Name]:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

I receive a large volume of emails, phone calls, letters and faxes every week from concerned citizens like yourself. In order to serve you better, I must ask that you follow these simple steps outlined below, which will help me respond to your concerns in a more effective manner.

For personal issues regarding federal agencies, tax assistance, your passport/visa, and Medicare/Medicaid, Veteran's, or Social Security (including SSI and disability payments) claims, among others, please contact one of my state offices in your area:
Philadelphia (215) 597-7200
Pittsburgh (412) 644-3400
Harrisburg (717) 782-3951
Scranton (540) 346-2006
Allentown (610) 434-1444
Erie (814) 453-3010
Wilkes Barre (570) 826-6265

Also, if you would like more information regarding DC tourism (including Capitol tours), internships, and/or flag requests, please access the constituent services link on my website (http://www.specter.senate.gov/), or you may also submit your request to my Washington Office at (202) 224-4254.

Sincerely,
Arlen Specter

Ummm, that’s it.

Here’s what people are telling SAC about their experiences contacting big wigs like Specter on eminent domain:

“Specter ignores us completely....

What is the point of trying to believe when so few give us reason to believe? Some days I wonder when it comes to American politics, once you get past the lies and b.s., what is left that is substance on any level? It seems to be all about the art of the deal, not what is actually right and what is actually wrong. Like look at Michael Bloomberg who this week took a page out of Ed Koch's book, came out in support of eminent domain and went calling on Senator Leahy this past week. But then again, who is more big business then Michael Bloomberg?

I have called Specter's office no less than three times since the Sensenbrenner visit alone. I wrote a letter. One time I got a nice guy on the phone in Philly. The rest of them are as rude as dirt. When folks went down for an IJ thing last spring/summer - when they went to Specter's office they were too busy playing with a karaoke machine to bother to see why constituents had traveled so far. A LOT of folks have been contacting Specter....we find it odd that Specter is here so very often to yet .....can't return a phone call or say how he feels on eminent domain. And the same goes for that .....Santorum ....”

Another response re: Specter reads:

“Specter is non responsive thus far. I have called many times, faxed many times, e-mailed a huge number of times and even stopped his office in Washington....

He has never responded in any way......That is a disgrace.

.......I never followed politics before and the more I learn, the less I like it. I have met a few people that are sincere and really try to do the right thing, but the majority of those in office don't belong there. They get there because of connections and then need to honor commitments at the expense of their constituents. "

And one more:

“anyway you look at him Specter is ....riding on his reputation for having Borked Bork for an awful long time and there are a lot of really horrible judges, by any reasonable standard, on the federal bench now that didn't bother him a bit.”

Pretty disheartening, huh?

So, Senator Specter, that is what your adoring public has to say regarding your UNDERwhelming response on eminent domain. What are you going to do about it?

US Senators should pay attention to the little guy like it was their very first run at office. We think they are ignoring us because they don't want to deal with bills like those which would limit eminent domain and blight. Why? Because they would rather listen to special interest groups than the folks who really need them.

SAC isn't resting on it's laurels. We want the state and federal legislation on eminent domain. We want a strong resolution to be passed in Lower Merion on the 15th.....But we're not done yet, and there is another election season in November. We have it on good authority that the folks in Harrisburg are nervous. Washington should be too. Why? Because there are groups like SAC ALL OVER THE COUNTRY PUSHING FOR REFORM!

November, 2006 is another chance to clean house and elect people who truly represent ALL of us. And yes, it can be done. 2005 as an off year election proved that nicely.

So folks, today’s message is simple: even though what we have shown you this morning ISN’T positive, double your efforts. Contact Senator Specter and tell him middle of the road isn’t acceptable. Contact your local political party office as well. Don’t let them off the hook. Those folks from both parties crawl up your butt when they want or need something, and don’t know your name the rest of the time. Re-read this post to find out how: http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/460

Write Specter today. And when you're done with him, contact Ed Rendell again. It's an election year, he might even do something.

VIA E-MAIL FORM: http://specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo.Home

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter:
Washington DC Office
711 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: 202-224-4254

Philadelphia Office
600 Arch Street
Suite 9400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: 215-597-7200
Fax: 215-597-0406

Gov. Ed Rendell:

http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html

To write a letter to the Governor send to:

Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

To telephone the Governor call:(717) 787-2500

GOVERNOR'S NORTHEAST OFFICE
JOHN P. BLAKE, DIRECTOR
Oppenheim Building 3rd floor, 409 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: 570-614-2090; Fax: 570-614-2094 (fax)
Counties Served: Tioga, Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Pike, Lycoming, Sullivan, Luzerne, Columbia, Montour, Schuykill, Carbon and Monroe

GOVERNOR'S SOUTHEAST OFFICE
JOSEPH CERTAINE, DIRECTOR
200 South Broad Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-560-2640; Fax: 215-560-3458
Counties Served: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery and Philadelphia

GOVERNOR'S NORTHWEST OFFICE
HOWARD BRUSH, DIRECTOR
Suite 202, 100 State Street, Erie, PA 16507
Phone: 814-878-5719; Fax: 814-455-3709
Counties Served: Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Elk, Warren, McKean, Potter, Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield and Centre

GOVERNOR'S SOUTHWEST OFFICE
ALLEN KUKOVICH, DIRECTOR
14th Floor, State Office Bldg., 300 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-565-5700; Fax: 412-565-2445
Counties Served: Greene, Washington, Fayette, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Somerset, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria, Blair, Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon

LANCE SIMMENS – SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE GOVERNOR
Office of the Governor, Main Capitol, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Counties Served: Northumberland, Union, Snyder, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, York, Lancaster