Random Musings on Politics and Mass Email "petitions"…

I got this email today from an Uncle (who I love, but this email made me laugh). My comments are in bold:

Subject: Social Security Changes

It does not matter if you personally like or dislike Bush . You need to sign this petition and flood his e-mail box with e-mails that tell him that, even if the House passes this bill, he needs to veto it.
(this is funny…it doesn’t matter how I feel, but I HAVE to sign this “petition???”)

It is already impossible to live on Social Security alone. If the government gives benefits to “illegal” aliens who have never contributed, where does that leave those of us who have paid into Social Security all our working lives? (I’m going to try to leave my own political views out of this one)

As stated below, the Senate voted this week to allow “illegal” aliens access to Social Security benefits. Attached is an opportunity to sign a petition that requires citizenship for eligibility to that social service.

You can Agree or Delete. Instructions are below. (dear citizens of the USA, I would like to just go ahead and point out that mass emails have absolutely zero legal pull. Did you really think that the Federal Government would change their course because of 729 “signatures” on your email?

PETITION for President Bush :

Dear Mr. President :

We, the undersigned (ignoramuses), protest the bill that the Senate voted upon recently
which would allow illegal aliens to access our Social Security. We demand (yeah!) that you and all Congressional Representatives require citizenship as a prerequisite for social services in the United States .

We further demand that there not be any amnesty given to illegals (they’re not people, they’re “illegals”), NO free services, no funding, no payments to and for illegal immigrants. We are fed up with the lack of action about this matter and are tired of “paying” for services to illegals! (and we’re fed up with all the low cost produce, labor, and other services that require jobs that we refuse to do ourselves because it’s beneath us!)

Agree or Delete (what?): Instructions to sign are at the bottom.

1. Mary Takami , Calif.
2. Connie Dodd Calif.
3. Frank Beirau , Calif.
4. Barbara Murray , Calif.
5. Dody Farha , Okla.
6. Woody Farho , Okla
(for your sake, I deleted the other 723 “signatures,” including my aunt, uncle, and cousin)

INSTRUCTIONS: If you don’t forward the petition and just stop it, we will lose all these names. If you do not want to sign it, please just forward it to everyone you know (umm…”Hi, I don’t believe in this, but I think that you have to sign it, no matter how you feel. Thanks, -Craig”). Thank you!

T o add your name, click on “forward” or better yet, “copy and paste” if you know how (this paste isn’t sticking to the screen very well). You will be able to add your name at the bottom of the list and then forward it to your friends.

When the petition hits 1,000, send it to comments@whitehouse.com
(www.whitehouse.com most definately NOT an official government site. But You’re close, the actual email address is: comments@whitehouse.gov.)