I am posting this to depict my experience. On Thursday I received a call from a number I did not recognize. Upon checking my voice mail, it was Andy Harris calling to inform me of a Town Hall meeting.
This prompted me to contact him by email on Friday 2/17/17 at approximately 10:25 AM
Here is my email:
Dear Mr. Harris: I am writing to say I thank you for all of your work to represent me and my family as our voice in the government. In so doing, I feel as if you are one of the few I whole- heartedly support in the government. Sadly, other very liberal Maryland elected officials earn a major fail when it comes to doing their job to represent the whole constituency. In late summer 2016 during a peaceful time in front of the US Capitol, I was among about 20 men from our pro 2nd Amendment group who was showing disapproval of further restrictive measures up for consideration to become law. We see
the truth behind these proposed laws that would insidiously work to end our 2nd Amendment rights while punishing the law abiding citizen and not addressing keeping guns from the hands of true criminals. You and I know they get their guns by breaking already existing laws that do not get enforced. So, I return to when our group was standing and holding
our signs peacefully and respectfully on the Capitol grounds, we had plain view of the parking area by the Capitol where Congressmen and women arrived for work that evening.
While getting snubbed by our own Maryland officials, I was sickened by them but very proud of Representative Rod Blum who walked over on his own accord to take the time to come and shake our hands and give us an ear and personal attention. He also stands for the common man like I feel you do. People like you and Rod Blum have earned my respect as I feel like he represents Iowa but seeks to represent all of America as I feel you do. I
perceive that you seek common sense and keep an eye on practical and efficient ways to govern without heaping further waste and financial burden on us, I commend you and hope you will continue to be able to do so.. If I may let you know, the few most important issues to me as a citizen are the right to live without the burdensome weight of too much government and the price it costs each and every citizen. Also, I ask for your full support in opposing any and all restrictive gun and ammunition laws, and any continued
legislation that increases the burden of Obamacare on the less that wealthy citizens like myself who cannot afford government mandated health care. That is it for now. Thank you,
Sincerely, Mark Lasch
Within 20 minutes I got this reply,
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. Please know that your views are important to me, and I will provide a comprehensive response as soon as possible. If this is a non-legislative matter that requires my immediate attention, please contact my Kent Island District Office at: 410-643-5425.
Then at 11:59 AM I received this reply.
February 17, 2017
Dear Mr. Lasch,
Thank you for contacting me about the Second Amendment. I believe that government should not interfere with the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. I very much appreciate your interest and your input.
The government must refrain from enacting legislation that obstructs our constitutional right to bear arms. I believe the government must enforce gun control laws that protect people from danger, such as preventing gun ownership by criminals or those suffering from severe psychiatric disorders. With over 4,450 laws related to guns on the federal law books, many of which were broken in each of the recent tragedies, our attention should be focused on enforcing the already numerous gun laws and restrictions, while devoting much needed attention to mental health care reform and violence in the media.
Additionally, I believe we have to address the culture of violence that has consumed our country. Our news media, movies, television shows, and video games display endless violent images that glorify and inspire this behavior. We have to stop sensationalizing these murderers. According to KidsHealth, the average child spends 28 hours a week watching television and it is estimated that by the time this child leaves elementary school, he or she will have witnessed 8,000 murders and over 100,000 other acts of violence (and this does not include violent video games). I believe this is a major contribution to the problem.
As a physician, I feel strongly that mental health care reform needs to be a part of the discussion. It is important to remember that those with mental illnesses rarely commit acts of violence and these incidents must be put into perspective. However, we need to make sure children and young adults with mental illness are diagnosed and have access to proper care in order to help them cope with their condition. Studies show that more than 10% of children in the United States may benefit from some sort of mental health treatment, but most do not receive help. There is a shortage of resources and services available to serve those that need mental health care support.
I believe that by addressing our country's increasingly worrisome culture of violence, and implementing strategies to generally improve our mental health system, we can lessen the occurrence of these tragedies by targeting the root causes of mass murders. I am grateful for your comments, and you may rest assured that I will keep your views in mind as legislation on this issue is discussed. I hope that you will feel free to contact me on any issue of importance to you or your family in the future.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
Andy Harris M.D.
This prompted me to contact him by email on Friday 2/17/17 at approximately 10:25 AM
Here is my email:
Dear Mr. Harris: I am writing to say I thank you for all of your work to represent me and my family as our voice in the government. In so doing, I feel as if you are one of the few I whole- heartedly support in the government. Sadly, other very liberal Maryland elected officials earn a major fail when it comes to doing their job to represent the whole constituency. In late summer 2016 during a peaceful time in front of the US Capitol, I was among about 20 men from our pro 2nd Amendment group who was showing disapproval of further restrictive measures up for consideration to become law. We see
the truth behind these proposed laws that would insidiously work to end our 2nd Amendment rights while punishing the law abiding citizen and not addressing keeping guns from the hands of true criminals. You and I know they get their guns by breaking already existing laws that do not get enforced. So, I return to when our group was standing and holding
our signs peacefully and respectfully on the Capitol grounds, we had plain view of the parking area by the Capitol where Congressmen and women arrived for work that evening.
While getting snubbed by our own Maryland officials, I was sickened by them but very proud of Representative Rod Blum who walked over on his own accord to take the time to come and shake our hands and give us an ear and personal attention. He also stands for the common man like I feel you do. People like you and Rod Blum have earned my respect as I feel like he represents Iowa but seeks to represent all of America as I feel you do. I
perceive that you seek common sense and keep an eye on practical and efficient ways to govern without heaping further waste and financial burden on us, I commend you and hope you will continue to be able to do so.. If I may let you know, the few most important issues to me as a citizen are the right to live without the burdensome weight of too much government and the price it costs each and every citizen. Also, I ask for your full support in opposing any and all restrictive gun and ammunition laws, and any continued
legislation that increases the burden of Obamacare on the less that wealthy citizens like myself who cannot afford government mandated health care. That is it for now. Thank you,
Sincerely, Mark Lasch
Within 20 minutes I got this reply,
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. Please know that your views are important to me, and I will provide a comprehensive response as soon as possible. If this is a non-legislative matter that requires my immediate attention, please contact my Kent Island District Office at: 410-643-5425.
Then at 11:59 AM I received this reply.
February 17, 2017
Dear Mr. Lasch,
Thank you for contacting me about the Second Amendment. I believe that government should not interfere with the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. I very much appreciate your interest and your input.
The government must refrain from enacting legislation that obstructs our constitutional right to bear arms. I believe the government must enforce gun control laws that protect people from danger, such as preventing gun ownership by criminals or those suffering from severe psychiatric disorders. With over 4,450 laws related to guns on the federal law books, many of which were broken in each of the recent tragedies, our attention should be focused on enforcing the already numerous gun laws and restrictions, while devoting much needed attention to mental health care reform and violence in the media.
Additionally, I believe we have to address the culture of violence that has consumed our country. Our news media, movies, television shows, and video games display endless violent images that glorify and inspire this behavior. We have to stop sensationalizing these murderers. According to KidsHealth, the average child spends 28 hours a week watching television and it is estimated that by the time this child leaves elementary school, he or she will have witnessed 8,000 murders and over 100,000 other acts of violence (and this does not include violent video games). I believe this is a major contribution to the problem.
As a physician, I feel strongly that mental health care reform needs to be a part of the discussion. It is important to remember that those with mental illnesses rarely commit acts of violence and these incidents must be put into perspective. However, we need to make sure children and young adults with mental illness are diagnosed and have access to proper care in order to help them cope with their condition. Studies show that more than 10% of children in the United States may benefit from some sort of mental health treatment, but most do not receive help. There is a shortage of resources and services available to serve those that need mental health care support.
I believe that by addressing our country's increasingly worrisome culture of violence, and implementing strategies to generally improve our mental health system, we can lessen the occurrence of these tragedies by targeting the root causes of mass murders. I am grateful for your comments, and you may rest assured that I will keep your views in mind as legislation on this issue is discussed. I hope that you will feel free to contact me on any issue of importance to you or your family in the future.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
Andy Harris M.D.
