Valley congressman: Phone calls running 300 to 2 against bailout

Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman, who represents the San Fernando Valley, just told CNBC that phone calls to his office are running "300 to 2" against the $700 billion bailout plan.

Interpreting the twisted political ways of Washington, Sherman said the plan is so unpopular that the only way it will pass is if Congress pushes it through this weekend -- before members return to their districts and realize how hated the bailout is.

CNBC reports Sherman favors a "bailout lite" plan, with only $200 billion allocated for purchasing distressed assets, and with provisions for aid to homeowners.

If you're interested in contacting your representatives in Congress, click here for contact information on the entire California delegation.

-- Peter Viles

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Photo Credit: www.bradsherman.house.gov

Comments

[I Live in L.A., Too]

If we're going to stand by this anti-bailout uprising, then that means we need to vote out EVERYONE. Whether you have a Republican or Democratic Congressperson, please vote them out!

[SMRR]

Yes, I'm voting against Henry Waxman unless they shoot this down. Same for Barrack, Boxer, Feinstein.

[dunno]

Hopefully it's not too late and if you haven't already done so, please call/fax/email Congress. If you already have, do it again.

There are national protests being organized for today. There are a lot of them in LA... look for one in your area here

http://truemajority.wiredforchange.com/event/distributedEventCalendar.jsp

[RY]

I called my congresswoman for the first time today. A staff member answered and told me that they were not close to an agreement and certainly not close to voting on the issue. Please, everyone who opposes this bailout should call their Congressman / Congresswoman in Washington to let your voice be heard. It might not be too late to stop this madness!

[RY]

Well, I got in touch with a Washington staff member for my Congresswoman, where I voiced my opposition to the bailout, but Senator Feinstein's phone is continuously busy and Senator Boxer's phone just shuffles you through voicemail, and her voice-mailbox is full. So how is one supposed to get in touch with them to express opposition to the bailout?

[MyLessThanPrimeBeef]

No way, no how, no pain, no gain.

And no, it's not 'No way, no how, no Palin, no gain.' So, you McCain supporters can relax.

Hilary, where are you? Paging Hilary.

[LA-renter]

"according to Bernie Sanders (Sen-VT), the richest 400 people in our country saw their wealth increase by $670 billion during the Bush presidency."

RB, you raise a very good what-would-Caesar-do point.

Let's conscript the wealth of those 400 people!

[MyLessThanPrimeBeef]

Continuously busy? Voicemail full?

Senators Boxer and Feinstein, they need to be more tech savvy. They are not representing a small state like Alaska. They are representing CALIFORNIA!

I just called my congressman and voiced my opposition to the bailout and I was told, not one single pro bailout call.

[Eastsiiiide]

"As if the Republicans hadn't done enough damage, now they want to sack the treasury for an additional $700 billion before they get kicked out of Washington."
-Robert in Palm Springs

Robert, if you have been paying attention at all to the news, the Republicans have been the ones most resisting the plan. Democrats have been trying to convince Republicans to join the cause and Paulson has been in the unusual position of having to defend his plan to his own party. By the way, I think the plan sucks.

[JW]

How does Congress love itself?
Let me count the ways:
*They have their own retirement plan and do not have to pay into Social Security.
*They have the mother of all health plans while us peons keep getting screwed by the insurance companies who give their Congressmen more and more money to leave them along to rob, rape and pilfer some more
*Who is Congress really bailing out with this stupid plan? Their buddies on Wall Street who will continue to give them more money through their lobbyist.

They are nothing more than thieves and if you don't vote the bastards out of office when you have the chance in November...................you're just part of the problem. I'm voting against anyone who votes for this bailout because most of them are ignoring the emails, phone calls and letters that they're receiving from their constituents. Hit 'em where it hurts.

[Steve]

Congress is letting itself be manipulated by fear and haste. No one can make a good decision acting out of fear and in haste.

If Congress is to make any sound decision, they need to take the time to do due diligence.

Audit what assets they are claiming are $700 billion. What assets are actually there? What is the real cost of these assets, not an inflated claimed value.

What assets would hurt the economy long term is sold on the private market for pennies on the dollar and which would not? Do not commit precious taxpayer dollars for used broken down cars that have no real value to us.

Do not let a new office of government be set up that has control over the economy (Treasury Secretary Paulsen’s proposal that the Treasurer dept control these assets).

[Nancy]

I think I'll be going to the bailout protest in Burbank. Any catchy suggestions for signage?

[SUPPORT THE BAILOUT]

Of course you guys are against it..... this place is just an echo chamber for bitter renters. What you fools dont realize is that if this thing doesn't get passed, you will NEVER get into a home..... not for 10-15 years at least.

Believe me, there are PLENTY of people who support it. Main street supports.

[Republicae]

It is astounding that with all the "experts" in Washington and New York that few of them seem to realize that The DEBT STANDARD which, includes our Fiat Monetary and Fractional Reserve System, is rapidly reaching its termination point. The entire system is completely saturated with debt, so much so that we will, no doubt, see a massive insolvency of the entire system.

If they pass this short-sighted "bailout" it will only hasten the point of termination.

[Kidd Wong]

I am a die hard republican and I found myself begging democrate lawmaker to stop the bail out plan. I promise I will donate $ to their campaign if they come through for me. I lost all confidence in the Republican party.

[Mucker]

LArenter. What a thought. Why aren't the bankers in front of Congress and the House testifying?

[SMRR]

Support the Bailout Realtard

Why would we believe you? "Believe me!"

Great argument, genius.

[tarbubble]

we were scared and rushed into invading Iraq. they claimed Saddam supported Al Qaeda, they claimed he had WMDs, they claimed he was a direct threat to the US. it was all buffalo crap. So now they're trying to scare us and rush us into yet another colossal scam to prop up and enrich the top income tiers. no way. i'll rent for another 15 years, keep my ancient television, keep driving my 19-year-old car, go on shopping at yard sales, and grow vegetables in my back yard if that's the price i have to pay for avoiding this scam.

[Giacomo]

"I think he might be quoting actual number of calls. Boxer had less than 1000 calls to her DC office and only 2000 to her CA office."

Maybe.

But hang on, one Congressman from the SF Valley gets 300 calls and one of two U.S. Senators only gets 3000, in 2 offices? That doesn't seem plausible.

[tarbubble]

i have emailed both state senators and my district congressman (Campbell). I figured I'd never get through on the phone. I would love to attend a protest but they are all quite far from me and as a stay-at-home mom with a toddler and a first-grader it would be a little tough. Although moms marching with kidlets would make for good TV fodder. ;)

[RY]

SUPPORT THE BAILOUT wrote, "Believe me, there are PLENTY of people who support it. Main street supports."

Then how come when I talked to my Congresswoman's staff member, he said there has not been one phone call in support of it. Everyone calling is opposed. He also said along the hallway where he's located, both Republican and Democrat Congressmen / Congresswomen are getting the same type of phone calls opposed to the plan, which he said has NEVER happened before.

[RY]

Giacomo wrote, "But hang on, one Congressman from the SF Valley gets 300 calls and one of two U.S. Senators only gets 3000, in 2 offices? That doesn't seem plausible."

As I posted earlier, and I can hardly believe this except that it happened to me:

Well, I got in touch with a Washington staff member for my Congresswoman, where I voiced my opposition to the bailout, but Senator Feinstein's phone is continuously busy and Senator Boxer's phone just shuffles you through voicemail, and her voice-mailbox is full. So how is one supposed to get in touch with them to express opposition to the bailout?

Giacomo, please try calling Boxer or Feinstein in Washington yourself. Peter conveniently posted their phone numbers in an earlier post.

[RY]

tarbubble,

Thanks for voicing your opinion to your Congressman. I found it (surprisingly) very easy to reach a friendly staff member for my Congresswoman, who after listening to me, gave me a lot of feedback on the status of things in Washington--which, as it turned out was more up to date than what the Main stream media was reporting. So I encourage you to phone your Congressman in Washington if you have the time. I think the phone charges will be dwarfed by the costs to us if this thing passes.

[smrr]

i called waxman's la office today. the person answering the phone was polite and responded to my questions which included - does cong waxman vote in a manner which represents the desires of his constiuency? is he listening to our protests, is he considering these calls.

i got what seemed like a truthful response, that waxman was indeed listening. i'm hoping the rest of our reps & sentators are as well.

i get the busy signals too. and the voicemail which doesnt accept messages. keep calling. keep fighting. we should put in more calls than clay aiken gets on american idol, there is much more at stake.

but seriously, lets change the 3000 calls boxer had weds night to 25,000 by monday morning