Today Rush Limbaugh issued a Code Red for his listeners and almost immediately Congress’s phones and emails were hitting capacity.
Here is what Rush had told his listeners:
RUSH: Folks, you know, I very seldom -- as you well know for 21 years -- encourage phone calls and e-mails and letters to members of Congress. The reason that I don't do it is that I never want the charge to be leveled that whatever response you gave was not genuine, that you had been talked into it or motivated and inspired or manipulated into doing it. I think it is pedal-to-the-metal time, and even if you have been e-mailing and faxing and calling, I think it's time to intensify it. You call the local offices. You call the Washington office of these people, the Democrats and so forth. The Republicans are like Martians: They can't stop this. The Martians couldn't stop it, the Republicans can't stop it. Not with votes. They don't have the votes to stop it, but you can. The only reason we are where we are now is because of you, the American people. That's the truth of the matter. I normally don't do this, but time to throw down the gauntlet here and really ratchet it up, to go along with all the other pressure that is being brought to bear elsewhere throughout the rest of the media….
… The lines are busy. Some people are getting through and some people aren't, but what you can also do is Google "Code Red." Just put in "Code Red." Just search for it. You'll find a website link.
The Hill reports the results of Rush’s call to arms was:
"House phone lines were nearing capacity on Tuesday as conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh encouraged fans to call in their objections on healthcare legislation.
The House e-mail system was also deluged in what the House’s technology office called “a very significant spike” in traffic.
The office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) sent out a system-wide advisory to member offices at 2 p.m. Tuesday, warning them of the dramatic increase in traffic..."
“Our phone system is nearing capacity,” said Jeff Ventura, spokesman for the CAO. “It got critical enough whereby we notified all systems’ administrators throughout the House that the phone systems are overloading.”
Good, consider it a dry run and let’s knock the stupid system out tomorrow. I know many of you feel that emailing and phoning does not work. For the most part you are right. However, just because they are not responding, doesn’t mean they are not aware of your displeasure. Melting the phone lines is a good reminder to on the fence Democrats that they are not operating inside a vacuum. It lets them know that there are angry people out there who expect to be heard. So, if you only have a few minutes each day, why not call the phone lines or dash off a nasty-gram? It is better than sitting around hoping for the best.
Here is the link to Code Red so if you have some free time, help melt the House phone lines.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Hill
Via: Rush Limbaugh
Via: Code Red