It may not break the rules, but the rules suck, Madame Speaker.

An Open Letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi regarding legal, but inappropriate use of emails by Rep. Michael Burgess

Editor’s
Note - The following was sent to Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-TX. The matter
already has been covered in a previous posting, Did Rep. Michael Burgess break the rules? No, the rules just suck.
Mr. Burgess has written to me that he did not violate the rules, ergo
he did nothing wrong. The voters may decide if they agree with him.

I wish to point out a serious ethics problem the House of Representatives has relating to electronic newsletters.

On the Senate side, they have imposed the same rules on electronic
newsletters as apply to “franked” newsletters sent out through the
postal service. The rule, as it appears on the internet, is posted at
the end of this message along with the url.

Last election, on 1 November 2006, I received an electronic
newsletter from my representative, 26th Congressional District of Texas
Rep. Michael Burgess. It was a “review” of the work he has done and a
rundown of his record during the past two years. You may see for
yourself here http://www.whatsdrivingyoucrazy.com/images/BurgessNovemberNewsletter.pdf .

It was little more than political campaign material at the
taxpayers’ expense. Anyone who says it costs no more is welcome to
start paying my hosting fees and paying for the power to run my
computers.

Madame Speaker, this is wrong and you know it. I hope that in his
heart Rep. Burgess knows it too. However, he obviously is among the
politicians who find it to his advantage to bend every rule he can.

Please move to establish a rule similar to the Senate’s rule cited
below prior to the election. You promised to bring accountability and
honor back to the House, please don’t do a Hastert on us.

A copy of this will be posted on my blog at www.whatsdrivingyoucrazy.com and will be forwarded to Rep. Burgess.

Sincerely yours,

Lee Dunkelberg

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/general/one_item_and_teasers/internetpolicy.htm

C. RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF INTERNET SERVICES

1. During the 60 day period immediately preceding the date of any
primary or general election (whether regular, special, or runoff) for
any national, state, or local office in which the Senator is a
candidate, no Member may solicit constituent input or inquiries (such
as online petitions or opinion polls or issue alerts) using a Senate
Internet Server (”World Wide Web and Electronic mail, BLOGs,
Podcasting, streaming media, etc.”), unless the candidacy of the
Senator in such election is uncontested.

2. Electronic mail may not be transmitted by a Member during the 60
day period before the date of the Member’s primary or general election
unless it is in response to a “direct inquiry”. Exceptions to this
moratorium include the following: press release distribution to press
organizations and email to perform administrative communication.
“Direct inquiries” do not include a request to be added to a mailing
list, subscription list, or other request to receive future mailings.
During the 60 day period, electronic news letters may not be sent out.