Full Spectrum Politics

I was quite excited to get an envelope in the mail today with a signature on it in place of a stamp. (Apparently, our legislators don’t apply postage to their mail in the same way as those whom they serve. This is an interesting fact of which I was not aware. Now you know too.)

The signature was that of the Honorable Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. It was a short, courteous letter declining to return the CGIP Religion Survey. [I will be putting up a scan of it as soon as I can UPDATE 12/19/08: The scan of the letter is up. Sorry to take so long.] I still have to finish completing the research on his election history for the Neighbor Rating, so his profile is not complete yet. But his Religion Rating, both Potential and Actual, is currently zero due to this declination.

I imagine that we’ll get more negative responses sooner rather than later, because doing nothing takes much less time than actually doing something, but I have no problem with issuing more “Zero” Religion ratings based on the politicians’ actual responses, because in the end they are accountable for their own responses.

I’m fairly certain that when all is done, I will get positive responses too. Initial research gives some indication from whom some of those positive responses will come, but I also look forward to being pleasantly surprised by good responses coming from “unexpected” quarters as well.

But just for today, I will bask in the mere acknowledgment received. They know we’re here, and that’s a good start.