I won't be participating in Congressman Mike Thompson's phone discussion. I voted for him, and might again, but his office people have told me that I can't send an e-mail to him (or his office) unless I have some sort of permission.

I can see how our representative might get a lot of emails, and that they might reflect both positive or negative. But, the position of a senator or representative supposedly exists because we can't all go to Washington to vote.

And, it seems to me that email is the best and quickest way for any of us to let our representative know how we feel.

But, no ... I am told (by the people in his Napa office) I can't use the e-mail to tell my representative how I feel. Seems a bit disdainful to me.

When election comes up again ... I think I'll ask those running if I can e-mail them if they are elected.

Jim Lyle lives in Yountville.

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