Man, I tell ya. I'm getting old. How old? I'm so old, that when I hear something in the news that my government does that I don't like, I write an email to my MP to complain about it. For my American friends, a Member of Parliament (MP) is equivalent to a Congressman in the U.S.

These emails are never angry - just my thoughtful opinions on the issue. I figure if an MP is “on the fence“, a bunch of supportive emails will help decide the issue. If a politician thinks his popularity is dipping and he might not get reelected, and he gets 200 emails from his constituents opposing some issue, he might just vote against it to save his skin. If you don't speak up, you won't be heard. 

I have sent emails of all levels of government, from my city councillor, to the mayor, to the Premier, to the Prime Minister. When a recent health issue was in the news, I sent emails to some of the top managers in the Health department. I have no shame when it comes to finding someone to hear my complaint.

I rarely get a response. But when I do, it's always interesting. Today's response takes the cake, though.

An assistant to my MP writes me an email back, asking for my postal address, so my MP can mail me a letter with his response.

Ugh.