FDA at it again...tell your Representative
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There are those who wil always just take the ride and let someone else steer. I don't expect a lot, considering the human nature of some. For me and mine, we won't sit idly by while government agencies trample over our rights. Besides, there are plenty of those that sit idly by and expect everything to just come to them. It's not hard to spot them.
Don't lose heart, many are doing what they can, just not answering in the thread. It is an uphill battle to be sure.
Sent e-mail and snail mail to both Feinstein and Boxer, but have not heard anything back yet.
Sent to Sen. Casey.
I've contacted my representatives in the past, and I always get the sense that they couldn't care less. Unless there's an angry mob getting massive media attention, our representatives go about their typical agendas without much thought for appeals to common sense or demands for actual representation. Occasionally a handful of representatives will see an issue they can champion to further their own political careers, but they typically select only those that will garner some measure of public support. Smokers don't really have the public's sympathy at the moment.
I wish that the FDA's overstepping its bounds would be enough to anger the public. Unfortunately, we have a punishment-oriented mentality in this country, and the public likes to see a scapegoat (smokers, tobacco) ground into the earth for its sins. People believe law and order should mirror their own personal feelings, and quite often demand irrational abuses of jurisdiction and authority to right their perceived wrongs. Because the public just likes to see the hammer come down, the FDA knows that it has a lot of discretionary leeway on these tobacco-related issues, which is probably why it felt safe going after cloves and not menthols, even though doing so practically pointed a giant finger at its own corruption.
So, I'll keep writing my representatives, but after calamities like the health care and food safety bills, I'm not holding my breath. (To qualify that loaded statement, I'm a political liberal with libertarian tendencies.)
I've contacted my representatives in the past, and I always get the sense that they couldn't care less. Unless there's an angry mob getting massive media attention, our representatives go about their typical agendas without much thought for appeals to common sense or demands for actual representation. Occasionally a handful of representatives will see an issue they can champion to further their own political careers, but they typically select only those that will garner some measure of public support. Smokers don't really have the public's sympathy at the moment.
I wish that the FDA's overstepping its bounds would be enough to anger the public. Unfortunately, we have a punishment-oriented mentality in this country, and the public likes to see a scapegoat (smokers, tobacco) ground into the earth for its sins. People believe law and order should mirror their own personal feelings, and quite often demand irrational abuses of jurisdiction and authority to right their perceived wrongs. Because the public just likes to see the hammer come down, the FDA knows that it has a lot of discretionary leeway on these tobacco-related issues, which is probably why it felt safe going after cloves and not menthols, even though doing so practically pointed a giant finger at its own corruption.
So, I'll keep writing my representatives, but after calamities like the health care and food safety bills, I'm not holding my breath. (To qualify that loaded statement, I'm a political liberal with libertarian tendencies.)
I think some read these post and react without posting here.
As ex smokers we have been trampled on, from ever increasing taxes to being banned from our favorite places to smoke and driven out in the cold. We are sensitive to overbearing political actions. I laugh when NY and others institute a tax on sugar products (the old "twinkie tax" threat). It's where cigs started, at a few cents a pack.
It's the ole "It will never happen to me" attitude that bites em in the backside.
I've done what I deem helpful, and done numerous petitions and contacted some media. Today I walk into my state reps office for answers to Illinois issues. He's a repub, and I doubt he's against civil liberties, but I'm not taking that for granted...we will talk, I don't care how long it takes to meet up with him. He will be chased down for a conversation.
Also, realize ECF is not the only game in town fighting this (yet probably the best).
As ex smokers we have been trampled on, from ever increasing taxes to being banned from our favorite places to smoke and driven out in the cold. We are sensitive to overbearing political actions. I laugh when NY and others institute a tax on sugar products (the old "twinkie tax" threat). It's where cigs started, at a few cents a pack.
It's the ole "It will never happen to me" attitude that bites em in the backside.
I've done what I deem helpful, and done numerous petitions and contacted some media. Today I walk into my state reps office for answers to Illinois issues. He's a repub, and I doubt he's against civil liberties, but I'm not taking that for granted...we will talk, I don't care how long it takes to meet up with him. He will be chased down for a conversation.
Also, realize ECF is not the only game in town fighting this (yet probably the best).
All that has to happen is they get one foot in the door and its all over.
One state bans and the rest will follow. Iv sent emails, regular mail, and contact some by phone. I don't even live in any of these states. This is a fight for basic human rights, not just to electronic cigarettes. I am tired of my life being controlled by the masses. Fight people, anyone with access to media please get this out there.
One state bans and the rest will follow. Iv sent emails, regular mail, and contact some by phone. I don't even live in any of these states. This is a fight for basic human rights, not just to electronic cigarettes. I am tired of my life being controlled by the masses. Fight people, anyone with access to media please get this out there.
I actually received a call back on my letter to Adam Smith, my congressman. I spoke to his aid and had a good conversation dealing with the FDA and their need to control pv's as a drug delivery system, he was aware of how the courts ruled and seemed to be positive to the cause. Anyhow the response was better than the nonsensical form reply I got from Maria Cantwell and the lack of any acknowledgment from Patty Murry.
Received an email response from my representative..............
Dear Mr. Fricke:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your support for electronic cigarettes. It is good to hear from you, and I appreciate you letting me know how you feel.
I always enjoy hearing from my constituents in Georgia. I will keep your thoughts and views in mind should the Senate consider the FDA's actions regarding this issue.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.
Dear Mr. Fricke:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your support for electronic cigarettes. It is good to hear from you, and I appreciate you letting me know how you feel.
I always enjoy hearing from my constituents in Georgia. I will keep your thoughts and views in mind should the Senate consider the FDA's actions regarding this issue.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.
this was all i got back:
Thank you for your email. I always appreciate hearing from constituents regarding the issues before Congress. Because I receive so many constituent inquiries and comments, it may take me a little while to get back to you. Thanks again for contacting my office.
Congresswoman Lois Capps
as we as this one !!
Dear Mrs. Onan:
Thank you for taking the time to write and share your views with me. Your comments will help me continue to represent you and other Californians to the best of my ability. Be assured that I will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers legislation on this or similar issues.
If you would like additional information about my work in the U.S. Senate, I invite you to visit my website, http://boxer.senate.gov. From this site, you can access my statements and press releases about current events and pending legislation, request copies of legislation and government reports, and receive detailed information about the many services that I am privileged to provide for my constituents. You may also wish to visit http://thomas.loc.gov to track current and past federal legislation.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate hearing from you.
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Please do not respond to this message. If you would like to comment on legislation, please visit my website and use the correspondence form at http://www.boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm
Thank you for your email. I always appreciate hearing from constituents regarding the issues before Congress. Because I receive so many constituent inquiries and comments, it may take me a little while to get back to you. Thanks again for contacting my office.
Congresswoman Lois Capps
as we as this one !!
Dear Mrs. Onan:
Thank you for taking the time to write and share your views with me. Your comments will help me continue to represent you and other Californians to the best of my ability. Be assured that I will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers legislation on this or similar issues.
If you would like additional information about my work in the U.S. Senate, I invite you to visit my website, http://boxer.senate.gov. From this site, you can access my statements and press releases about current events and pending legislation, request copies of legislation and government reports, and receive detailed information about the many services that I am privileged to provide for my constituents. You may also wish to visit http://thomas.loc.gov to track current and past federal legislation.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate hearing from you.
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
Please do not respond to this message. If you would like to comment on legislation, please visit my website and use the correspondence form at http://www.boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm
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Do we have any current information on the FDA court case? I can't find anything new.
I just received a reply from our Senator. Here is his reply:
January 28, 2011
Dear Shellie,
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. It is good to hear from you.
I certainly understand your concerns regarding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) action against electronic cigarettes. In September of 2010 the FDA sent a warning letter to five distributors of electronic cigarettes citing poor manufacturing practices and unconfirmed claims made by the distributors. Because of concerns over public health, the FDA has been fighting to gain the authority to regulate electronic cigarettes as a drug and not just as a tobacco product.
In January of 2010, a United States District Court ruled that the FDA does not have any authority to regulate electronic cigarettes as a drug. On December 7, 2010, a United States Federal Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia upheld the ruling by the District Court. On December 20, 2010, the FDA filed a petition to asking the entire Federal Appeals Court in the District of Columbia to hold a new hearing. On January 24, 2011, this bid was rejected by the court. Know that I will keep a close eye on this issue and will remember your thoughts should legislation regarding this matter come before the full Senate in the future.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your views. I value your input.
John Barrasso, M.D.
United States Senator
January 28, 2011
Dear Shellie,
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. It is good to hear from you.
I certainly understand your concerns regarding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) action against electronic cigarettes. In September of 2010 the FDA sent a warning letter to five distributors of electronic cigarettes citing poor manufacturing practices and unconfirmed claims made by the distributors. Because of concerns over public health, the FDA has been fighting to gain the authority to regulate electronic cigarettes as a drug and not just as a tobacco product.
In January of 2010, a United States District Court ruled that the FDA does not have any authority to regulate electronic cigarettes as a drug. On December 7, 2010, a United States Federal Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia upheld the ruling by the District Court. On December 20, 2010, the FDA filed a petition to asking the entire Federal Appeals Court in the District of Columbia to hold a new hearing. On January 24, 2011, this bid was rejected by the court. Know that I will keep a close eye on this issue and will remember your thoughts should legislation regarding this matter come before the full Senate in the future.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your views. I value your input.
John Barrasso, M.D.
United States Senator
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