YOUR MP

[Topaz]

I was wondering if any of you have e-mailed your MP and had a answer back? I've have sent one to mine and never got an answer back. I know other people also have said that they have never gotten answer back. This MP never likes to have confrontations of any kind but not all questions ask, would result in one. Do any of you have that problem with your MP?

[Bryan]

My MP is very easy to get ahold of. Either she, or someone in her office, will generally return my calls/emails within a day. She's very accessible for face to face meetings too.

[Mighty AC]

I did have an interesting email exchange with the office of my CPC MP. I had asked a question about a political position and received a stock response from his office about the particular issue. I followed up, questioning some of the data and logic used in the stock response that was clearly false. I didn't hear back for a few weeks, but when I did the office staffer who poses as the MP when answering email queries accidentally included an interoffice communication about my question. In the back and forth with her boss, I was referred to as a "Liberal Lover" despite never indicating a voting preference. It was also mentioned that the office staffer should not waste too much time dealing with those unlikely to vote CPC anyway. I responded letting them know about their error and I instantly received a frantic call ensuring me that the MP represents all his constituents and values their input equally. I just laughed and said it was a good example of our First Past The Post system in action.

[Michael Hardner]

I responded letting them know about their error and I instantly received a frantic call ensuring me that the MP represents all his constituents and values their input equally.

Yes, because they were afraid that the mistake would end up in the "real" media. More evidence that the digital world is simply over their heads...

[Mighty AC]

There are certainly very few MPs that use digital media effectively. Though, I wonder if it's the party brass that is holding some back. For example, there was a very outspoken, media savvy MP from southern Ontario named Garth Turner. This guy connected to his constituents through and active blog (with comments enabled), online polls and frequent digital and in person town hall meetings. He asked his constituents what they wanted and then lobbied the government, his own CPC party (at the time), on behalf of them. Garth was on the finance committee and created the initial push for both income splitting and the TFSA as a result of consultation with the public. He was also an advocate for a dramatically simplified income tax system.

Anyway, Garth's connected, open, accessible and constituent first approach did not sit well with Harper. It is the duty of a CPC MP to simply repeat PMO crafted talking points, not add input of their own. It didn't take long for the party to kick him out. I doubt the Grits or Dipps micromanage to the extent the CPC does, but I wonder if they also restrict MP communications to some degree. The poor use of the digital world may, partially, be intentional.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Mighty AC

[PIK]

Yes our MP gets right back to you and also has helped in many ways on certain subjects, and same as our MPP,very happy with both.

[PIK]

There are certainly very few MPs that use digital media effectively. Though, I wonder if it's the party brass that is holding some back. For example, there was a very outspoken, media savvy MP from southern Ontario named Garth Turner. This guy connected to his constituents through and active blog (with comments enabled), online polls and frequent digital and in person town hall meetings. He asked his constituents what they wanted and then lobbied the government, his own CPC party (at the time), on behalf of them. Garth was on the finance committee and created the initial push for both income splitting and the TFSA as a result of consultation with the public. He was also an advocate for a dramatically simplified income tax system.

Anyway, Garth's connected, open, accessible and constituent first approach did not sit well with Harper. It is the duty of a CPC MP to simply repeat PMO crafted talking points, not add input of their own. It didn't take long for the party to kick him out. I doubt the Grits or Dipps micromanage to the extent the CPC does, but I wonder if they also restrict MP communications to some degree. The poor use of the digital world may, partially, be intentional.

http://www.mortgagejake.com/blog/blog_details/look_what_a_fool_garth_turner_is/

[Mighty AC]

Garth's real estate advice doesn't really have anything to do with this thread does it? He's not well liked by condo pimps and mortgage pushers at the moment because he advocates keeping your capital and avoiding debt in the face of what is expected to be a declining to stagnant market. Jake is also off on some of the numbers, so if you happen to be a fan of mortgage pimp sites, check the math. Anyway, like I mentioned your link adds nothing to this thread, especially with no additional comments on your part.