I just had one of the most shocking moments of my life. I regularly write to my elected officials in support of separation of church and state among other issues. On October 18th I wrote a letter expressing my displeasure with Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD), my congresswoman, for supporting a congressional resolution encouraging public schools to post ‘God Bless America.’

Normally that is the end of these things. I made my opinion known, I presume they are mostly ignored except as support for other people’s or organization’s letters and efforts. But last week I got a message on my answering machine from Kate Dickinson, the congresswoman’s legislative assistant with regard to church/state affairs. I gathered my information and called her back.

After spending about 60 seconds establishing what I was talking about she dismissed it as unimportant. It is only a non-binding resolution after all. I spent less than thirty seconds trying to express that I thought it did matter before I was told by Ms. Dickinson that she wasn’t going debate all afternoon with me and hung up on me.

So much for the pretense of representing me. Greatly clarifies and simplifies any decision on who to vote for in the next election.

I’ve never felt so disenfranchised as I do right now.

–Zafkiel