Guaranteed Failure  

Recently, a newspaper called Orthodox New has been coming to the Armenian apostolic church in Montebello.  Looking through the February, 2008, issue, I was a bit surprised to see an article entitled “Congresswoman Proposes Stripping USDA of Safety Oversight after Largest Ever Beef Recall.”  

Because our democracy has not adapted to the twenty-first century, this Congresswoman’s proposal would not work.  But when I went to her Web site to send an e-mail to say as much, I was met with  

Please Note: This service is for current 3rd Congressional District constituents of Connecticut only and will not accept messages from zip codes located outside of the 3rd District. Congressional courtesy dictates that Representatives be given the opportunity to assist their own constituents.  

It is right for a member of Congress to prioritize her constituents.  It is wrong for the member to ignore solutions to problems which she is addressing.  How would you solve this contradiction?

If you answer the multiple-choice questions below and e-mail to lessonanswers@mymontebello.com with “Lesson answers” in the subject field, you will be credited toward a “certificate of recognition in community affairs” to be awarded in 2007 by a local nonprofit organization.  

1. The Congresswoman from Connecticut is responding to which problem?

(a) The scandal in February, 2008, at the slaughterhouse in Chino, California.

(b) Some problem at Foster Farms in Arkansas.  

2. What do members of Congress do?

(a) Set up a system to ensure that constituents receive priority.

(b) Discourage people who are not constituents from communicating with them.  

3. What is a possible solution to the roadblock placed by the Congresswoman?

(a) Write to the Congresswoman instead of e-mailing her.

(b) Pretend to be a constituent and, thereby save paper and time, so as to get an important message to her.  [As for a message, see “Flashback Quarterback” in this issue.]

March 20, 2008