When did politicians start wanting us to sign petitions? Was the election not enough?

[NightWatcher]

When did politicians start wanting everyone to sign petitions for them? I recently have signed multiple petitions for Al Gore, John Edwards, Henry Waxman, Hillary Clinton, John Conyers, and others. Do they not remember that they are our representatives and that we elect them to vote and act on our behalf? We voted for them based on their stands on various issues. I realize that Gore and Edwards are not currently in office, but for those that are in office, our vote should be enough. We send them to do our bidding. We don not want them to send us emails asking us to sign various petitions on a weekly basis. This is a republic and not a democracy. If we were to vote on each issue, we would not need them at all. We elect them to vote on various issues for us. I hate when they ask us to validate their actions.

We elected the Dems last year to do a lot of things.
1. End the war. Troops home now. Do this however you can.
2. Hold Bush accountable for his actions. Investigate and impeach.
3. Return power to the people. Get it out of the hands of corporations.

You do not need our permission to do these things. We gave you permission last November, now go do it.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. They only want your contact info....

they get when you sign the "petition" -- once they get it, they can hit you up for $$$ and send you email updates.

It took me a few online petitions before I figured it out.

[youngdem]

2. I agree....I think it shows weakness, plus HONESTLY, who looks at a petition?

Does anyone really think that someone in the Repuke Party would see a stack of petition sheets opposing the Iraq War or de-listing the manatee or whatever, then change their mind? PLEASE!

Petitions are for the signor. They make you feel a part of something, but they do little IF ANYTHING toward affecting change for the cause, otherwise.

Amen NightWatcher. We sent you, now GET TO WORK. If you need a petition to point you in the right direction, ASK someone else in the party what you can do to help, don't start a petition drive. It weakens the office holder by making them look like an outsider. USE YOUR OFFICE AND DO SOMETHING.