The Politics Of It All

[crispy_monkey]

hey brothers and sisters of the leaf! I just got a response about the letter I sent my representative regarding HR 1639. I thought I would post it here. Please stop and breath some fresh air if the political runaround makes you dizzy.


September 17, 2011


Dear Mr. Crouch:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me to share your views on the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act (H.R. 1639). By hearing your thoughts and concerns on the issues, I am better able to represent you in Congress.

In 2009, Congress granted the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) broad statutory authority to regulate tobacco. Congressman Bill Posey (FL) introduced H.R. 1639 on April 15, 2011 to stop the FDA from regulating premium cigars and clarify the FDA’s jurisdiction over certain tobacco products. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where it awaits further review.

As your representative, I care deeply about our public health and am familiar with the empirical evidence demonstrating the dangers of tobacco use. However, given the current harsh economic climate, I do not want to hinder the growth of our fragile economy by imposing additional regulatory burdens and fees on small businesses. For the sake of encouraging investment and innovation, Congress must limit the government’s reach, thereby ensuring greater stability and security in the marketplace. Congress must restore government back to its original intent – limited, effective, and efficient. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue eliminating undue and unnecessary restrictions on job creation and growth in order to refuel our economic growth. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, be assured that I will keep your views in mind should H.R. 1639 reach the full committee for consideration or the House floor for a vote.

Again, thank you for contacting me. It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please do not hesitate to contact me if my office can be of assistance to you on any issue of importance.

Sincerely,
Adam Kinzinger
Member of Congress

P.S. For more information about my work in Congress, please visit www.kinzinger.house.gov and feel free to sign up to receive updates through my email newsletters.

AK/**

 

[jsnake]

Funny thing is my letter from my Representative in Missouri is the SAME EXACT form letter. Amazing.

 

[crispy_monkey]

Funny thing is my letter from my Representative in Missouri is the SAME EXACT form letter. Amazing.

yeah its like they have form letters for this or something:innocent:

 

[Mmalone999]

Almost makes you think he sent it himself and not his secretary.

 

[andy]

i dont see the problem with them sending form letters if were sending form letters.

 

[crispy_monkey]

i dont see the problem with them sending form letters if were sending form letters.

I was not really bothered with the form letter bro we were just having fun with that. Also I mainly put this up to see if other BOTLs were getting similar results. I know that the letter basically says this:
"hey mr so and so, I appreciate your contacting me on this matter. While I think tobacco is bad I also think money is good. Rest assured your concern is noted and I will put this into consideration should I be asked to vote on it.
PS please vote for me."

Maybe that is not quite what he is saying, but its the message I got out of it. At least he responded and I truly appreciate that.

 

[orangedog]

I was not really bothered with the form letter bro we were just having fun with that. Also I mainly put this up to see if other BOTLs were getting similar results. I know that the letter basically says this:
"hey mr so and so, I appreciate your contacting me on this matter. While I think tobacco is bad I also think money is good. Rest assured your concern is noted and I will put this into consideration should I be asked to vote on it.
PS please vote for me."

Maybe that is not quite what he is saying, but its the message I got out of it. At least he responded and I truly appreciate that.

Ha ha, well put! Although I would insert a "maybe" in the "I will put this into consideration" segment.

Tobacco bad money good... Classic :rofl:

 

[keinreis]

I wonder if you would get the same letter if you sent an anti cigar letter?

 

[andy]

glad we got that cleared up. thanks for your time.

I was not really bothered with the form letter bro we were just having fun with that. Also I mainly put this up to see if other BOTLs were getting similar results. I know that the letter basically says this:
"hey mr so and so, I appreciate your contacting me on this matter. While I think tobacco is bad I also think money is good. Rest assured your concern is noted and I will put this into consideration should I be asked to vote on it.
PS please vote for me."

Maybe that is not quite what he is saying, but its the message I got out of it. At least he responded and I truly appreciate that.

 

[AlohaStyle]

Reply back to him asking how he will vote on the bill should there be a vote and you will keep his answer in mind when voting for a representative at the poll...

 

[Mmalone999]

Reply back to him asking how he will vote on the bill should there be a vote and you will keep his answer in mind when voting for a representative at the poll...

Nice! I love it

 

[Kenman25]

Reply back to him asking how he will vote on the bill should there be a vote and you will keep his answer in mind when voting for a representative at the poll...

haha do it

 

[crispy_monkey]

I just might. However, atm I am dealing with some random bill that is in my checking from some place called amershop.net. Its gotta be a scam. Just randomly billed me for $4.94 and i have never even heard of em let alone done business there. I talked with my bank and they are looking into it. They told me to contact them which 1 can only do by email. Told them they billed me for no reason and got an email swearing they removed the bill on the 19...which i guess they did cuz now my checking has the same amount billed by em on the 20th. Oh what fun- friggin thing causing me to have a stress attack and sign up for id protection or sumtin.

PS. here is what i got from the senator on my letter about S 1461

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your email. I appreciate hearing from you.

We are experiencing a high volume of incoming emails, but every message is read by my staff and if you live in Illinois we will provide a response as soon as possible.

I appreciate your comments. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

(now THATS a form letter!)

 

[ciggy]

^^^^ Ummm...can you say "Blow Off"!? ^^^^

 

[crispy_monkey]

^^^^ Ummm...can you say "Blow Off"!? ^^^^

Well at least I can say I did my part. Hopefully every1 uses the easy form to quickly tell their representatives to leave their cigars alone. If you have yet to write, simply go to the CRA website and take care of it. It quick and painless...probably.

 

[crispy_monkey]

Ok I got a answer from my wait and I will get back to you Senator. I hope every1 is informing their reps to leave their cigars alone. Seeing how this thread is becoming a tracking sheet in a way of what the general responses are to my CRA letters I thought I would post this one as well.

Dear Mr. Crouch:

Thank you for contacting me about legislation regarding premium cigar regulations. I appreciate hearing from you.

The Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Job Preservation Act of 2011 (S. 1461), introduced by Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, would clarify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) jurisdiction in the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of traditional and premium cigars. The FDA has announced plans to ensure that appropriate regulatory mechanisms govern all tobacco products, which includes cigars, under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

Proponents of this legislation fear that further FDA regulations would result in added restrictions to their ability to advertise and market cigars, which could devastate local cigar shops. This legislation would end the FDA's ability to regulate the premium cigar industry. Opponents of the bill argue cigars should be regulated by the FDA, like cigarettes.


S. 1461 has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. I am not a member of this Committee but will keep your thoughts in mind in case the legislation reaches the Senate floor.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to stay in touch.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/jn

 

[bmony]

In WI, earlier this year, motion 414 was added to our budget bill. Basically this motion was pushed by MillerCoors and distributors in our state. It basically stated that small or micro breweries couldn't hold both a brewing and distribution license. So they could no longer deliver beer themselves to a bar or eating establishment close to them. Also, they couldn't sell other small breweries beer in their taproom. A small brewery can only operate two brewpubs in the state as well.

A good friend of mine started his brewery 5 years ago and was poised to expand when this motion was introduced. He is still expanding but had to modify his business plan to get the loan. The best part was that last year, Gov. Walker assured my friend at a beer tasting that he would leave small breweries alone, yeah right.

I wrote my local representative against this bill and was impressed that I recieved a two page form letter in response instead of an email. I actually saved it as I doubt I will ever see a form letter response again.

 

[1029henry]

Hey Crispy, at least your representative is willing to not vote on that heinous bill. Our wonderful senator Feinstein here in Commifornia pretty much told me in her email form letter that although she understands my position, she will vote for the bill because smoke is bad for me. Have a nice day. LOL!

I've had it up to here with these fools. 2012 can't come soon enough for me.

By the way, I see that you're from LaSalle County, Il. I grew up in Oglesby, Il. and now live in California. My folks still live back there. Howdy neighbor!

 

[JP8]

Here's the response I got from my senator:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 1461, the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011. I welcome your thoughts and comments.



S. 1461 was introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) on August 1, 2011 and is focused on allowing regulatory exemptions for traditional, large, and premium cigars, in addition to eliminating the fees associated with tobacco products. Currently, this legislation is being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, on which I do not serve. Should S. 1461 come before the full Senate for review, you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind.



The onslaught of new regulations hits small businesses the hardest. They are estimated by the Small Business Administration to spend 36 percent more per employee than large corporations in an effort to comply with new federal rules. In 2011, there have been 677 new regulatory rules proposed or enacted, totalling more than 50,000 pages of new federal regulations.



To boost job creation and support small businesses, I cosponsored S. 1438, the Regulation Moratorium and Job Preservation Act, which places a moratorium on burdensome federal regulations until the national unemployment rate decreases to 7.7 percent.



I appreciate hearing from you. I hope you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue that is important to you.



Sincerely,

Kay Bailey Hutchison

United States Senator

 

[whodeeni]

Here's the response I got from my senator:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 1461, the Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2011. I welcome your thoughts and comments.



S. 1461 was introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) on August 1, 2011 and is focused on allowing regulatory exemptions for traditional, large, and premium cigars, in addition to eliminating the fees associated with tobacco products. Currently, this legislation is being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, on which I do not serve. Should S. 1461 come before the full Senate for review, you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind.



The onslaught of new regulations hits small businesses the hardest. They are estimated by the Small Business Administration to spend 36 percent more per employee than large corporations in an effort to comply with new federal rules. In 2011, there have been 677 new regulatory rules proposed or enacted, totalling more than 50,000 pages of new federal regulations.



To boost job creation and support small businesses, I cosponsored S. 1438, the Regulation Moratorium and Job Preservation Act, which places a moratorium on burdensome federal regulations until the national unemployment rate decreases to 7.7 percent.



I appreciate hearing from you. I hope you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue that is important to you.



Sincerely,

Kay Bailey Hutchison

United States Senator

Seems like she "acknowledged" your concern, and then "Kept it Movin"!