9-15-08 Petition reply from Senator Dick Durbin - (D) IL., Possible Next Step Illinois?

Okay folks, I got a reply back from the office of Dick Durbin, one of IL's Senators at the Federal level. I'm sharing it here because I would like to know if everyone else has received the same message. I'm positive it will be.

As you can infer from Mr. Durbin's correspondence below, he's not explicitly supporting The Plan. His office has mentioned what he's done for our state, legislation which I've found has merit. However, I think we need to turn the screws some more folks. What I think we need is strong, explicit support for The Plan.

It's in our best interest to shop out our Senators. If Party A is being stubborn, petition Party B or even Party C if it's an option. Either way, a rubber stamp legislator's reply is not going to get laws passed and funds allocated.

I'd like to hear some opinions on this.

Senator Durbin's reply to my Pickens Petition letter follows

----------------------------------

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts on the promotion of wind energy. I appreciate hearing from you and share your support for this alternative source of energy.

We have begun to recognize the real costs associated with our nation's dependence on oil. These costs are borne not only by the environment, but by Americans struggling to pay skyrocketing prices at the pump. We need a new direction in America's energy policy. We must cut our oil consumption and develop the alternative energy sources that have shown promise.

I strongly support the development and expansion of the wind industry. While wind power currently provides roughly one percent of our nation's electricity needs, it has the potential to account for a significantly larger portion of our domestic energy supply in the future.

To support the growth of the wind industry, I have worked to secure a long-term extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for electricity produced from renewable energy. The PTC, which provides a two-cents-per-kilowatt-hour benefit for the first 10 operating years of a renewable energy facility, is an important incentive for wind energy producers in Illinois and across the country. Along with encouraging the development of new wind power operations, the extension of the federal PTC is vital to the continued success of those companies already in operation.

I also have argued in favor of the implementation of a federal renewable electricity standard. A renewable electricity standard would require retail electric utilities to use renewable energy, such as wind power, to produce 15 percent of the power they generate by 2020. I will continue to work for this reform.

Our current energy problems have led many to call for the opening of new federal lands to oil and gas leasing. While I support safe and environmentally responsible oil production, I also recognize that an energy policy based primarily on drilling will not meet the needs of American consumers. Even long-time oil men, such as T. Boone Pickens, have acknowledged that America cannot drill its way out of this problem. Rather, the solution will be found in alternative and renewable forms of energy, including wind.

Thank you again for your message. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan Kairis on September 16, 2008 at 3:09pm: I hate to disappoint anyone, but this is the same message I have received on a number o issues I have raised with his office with no follow up at all. He will not even meet with you if you don't agree completely with him. I don't trust him any more than any other R or D.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sugar Daddy on September 18, 2008 at 3:59pm: Hello Dan, thanks for replying. I want to keep this going with the people here in Illinois. If we aren't getting any momentum then we should tell our Plan Regional Coordinator that Illinois lawmakers are dragging their feet on advocating it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dominique Durbin on September 28, 2008 at 6:33am: I have a collection of these generic staff letters in my inbox. BTW, No, I am not related to him, biologically or politically. I have spoken with his staff a number of times. I think they believe we are related.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sugar Daddy on September 29, 2008 at 9:16am: That's hilarious. Yeah I suppose it would be unethical to claim you had some distant relation to leverage some communication within his office *laughs*

On a more serious note, I'd like to know if anyone here would be interested in composing a counter-reply for these kinds of form letters. Like I said, I can't expect Obama's office to reply back for obvious reasons. Dick Durbin's office, on the other hand, needs the screws turned more. In addition to some of our Representatives.

It's getting very close to election time. Regardless of the fact that virtually nothing will change as far as seats on either level, we still need to work on our elected officials.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stephen Fischer on October 1, 2008 at 6:51am: Here's a suggestion. Go to Senator Durbin's website; http://durbin.senate.gov/ and in the upper lefthand corner, there is a link to send correspondence to his office. I would urge everyone to craft a response to his letter. It is always best to approach that response in a profession, non-threatening but firm way, regardless of what your personal thoughts are on Congressman Durbin as a politician.

Mean sprited responses generate a like kind reaction. I am thankful that I did get a response, even if it is an auto response, however let's use that as an "opportunity" to follow up with another response on his website.

You may wish to consider typing the response on a word processing document that you can cut and past into the reply box. You may be using it repeatly with other elected officials. You can also share the word document with others to also keep the input coming.

Thanks; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dominique Durbin on October 5, 2008 at 2:50pm: Since when do ethics matter in Washington? LOL
I now have an identical staff written letter to the one posted here. I wrote some notes on it and mailed it back to Senator Durbin's office.
I understand the use of staff letters being on file, but what bothers me is the fact that staffers scan (not read and comprehend) the letters constituents send to office holders, pick out what they believe are key words then send you back the matching letter from a file.
I think using their own letter with legible hand written notes on it stands out from the pile in front of them. This also lets them know that you have already read the staff letter that matched the affore mentioned keywords. They cannot send you the same letter again, something new is needed.
On a seperate issue, one of Senator Obama's staffers did send me back the same letter last summer.
I mailed him back both letters and a box of crayons. I still have not heard anything about that issue from his office.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sugar Daddy on October 6, 2008 at 7:35am: At this point, the only action that will convince me of a legislator's commitment to the plan is explicitly stating their advocacy of it in public.

It's been what now, two weeks since I've received this bit of correspondence?

At this time, I can't agree with Boone more. Since we've come up with nothing better on this discussion, I'm going to send a bit of correspondence with a very clear agenda:

LEAD: You're against the plan, because you have a better one, and you have the math to back it up.

FOLLOW: You're for the plan, without exception. Get in the media and help us push.

GET (THE HELL) OUT OF THE WAY: You're against it, because you want to keep our country on foreign oil. Democrat or Republican, you will not be getting my vote if you fall into this category.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Don Rossman on October 3, 2008 at 6:51pm: This is a standard reply from Senator Durbin. He could care less about the people of Illinois. He is only there for his own goal to retain power any way possible.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin Immigration Record

Did you know that Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has been one of the top advocates to give over 13 million illegal aliens amnesty! These are people that have crossed our borders illegally, used false identification for employment and taken jobs away from legal US citizens that need employment.

And as if that wasn't enough these illegal's creates a burden on the resources of state and local human services, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and other governmental institutions.

Now we have the opportunity to elect someone that will represent the law abiding citizens of the State of Illinois to the US Senate. Steven Sauerberg is a well respected family physician of over 25 years from northern Illinois. For an introduction see his website at http://sauerbergforussenate.com/.

Lets finally show Dick Durbin that his pro-illegal alien voting record has been out of touch with what the legal law-abiding citizens from the State of Illinois want.

http://www.betterimmigration.com/candidates/2008/cand08_ilsen.html; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sugar Daddy on October 3, 2008 at 7:22pm: Don Rossman:

Keep your political thread derailments to yourself sir. You're way off-topic. The Pickens Plan website is not your personal soap-box for promoting your political point of view.

One thing that I am seeing far too much off here is politicizing of The Pickens Plan. My inbox is constantly being sacked with propaganda from BOTH SIDES of the political spectrum - originating from members of this site.

STOP BRINGING YOUR POLITICS ON PICKENS PLAN DAMNIT.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Walter M. Johnson on October 6, 2008 at 4:50pm: Hello Sugar daddy. I am Walter M. Johnson, Democratic Candidate for Illinois State Rep. District 89.
I support the Pickens Plan. This country has to do something soon to get away from foreign oil,which is costing the citizens way to much. If,we keep going down the path we are going now...In 10 Years we will be paying 100% to foreign oil. I have toured a ethanol plant and also a wind farm and clean nuclear plant. I believe that Mr. Pickens is 100% right with his plan. When I am elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, I want to sit down with Mr. Pickens and incorporate a plan for Illinois.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sugar Daddy on October 6, 2008 at 8:00pm: Hello Sugar daddy. I am Walter M. Johnson, Democratic Candidate for Illinois State Rep. District 89.

Hello, nice to meet you Walter M. Johnson. Excuse me for my lack of tact, but I really don't care what your partisan affiliation is. I'm not here to endorse or decry candidates running for public office.

I support the Pickens Plan.

Fantastic, so do I

This country has to do something soon to get away from foreign oil,which is costing the citizens way to much. If,we keep going down the path we are going now...In 10 Years we will be paying 100% to foreign oil.

Amen, but you're preaching to the choir

I have toured a ethanol plant and also a wind farm and clean nuclear plant. I believe that Mr. Pickens is 100% right with his plan.

I've attended two MREA (Midwest Renewable Energy Association) workshops on the following subjects: Intro to Wind Power an Intro to renewable energy alternatives for the home.

Unlike you however, I believe that Mr. Pickens is 99% correct. I reserve the last 1% as my American-born right to question authority.

When I am elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, I want to sit down with Mr. Pickens and incorporate a plan for Illinois.

I'm pleased to hear you have plans to advocate the Picken's Plan if you get to office.

That still does not guarantee or refute my vote. Politics doesn't belong here that subtle approach isn't going to work with me, sir.

Politicians make promises about what they will do if they get elected. But what are you doing about The Plan right now?; ▶ Reply to This