Here is my response:
Dear Senator Bennet,
Please replace the legislative assistant who wrote this form letter. He or she did not bother to read the body of my email which dealt specifically with the Vockler rule and its draconian effects on member owned financial entities like USAA. As a former Senate staffer, to a Senator on the Banking Committee no less, I know how to read legislation and pick apart the faults within. I also know how to cogently reply to constituents who have obviously done their homework and deserve more than a simple form letter filled with empty platitudes. Because of this background, I know when I have been passed off with a form letter generated by a computerized program that lumps constituent mail together by broad categories.
I want to know why you specifically support the Vockler Rule. If you do not support the section of the legislation, I wish to know what you are planning on doing to fight the passage of the “reform” bill with this provision included.
I will be watching, as will be every USAA member in Colorado. As the primary insurer and banker of US military members and their families, you should know that USAA has a very large constituency in Colorado. We are educated, dedicated patriots who never fail in our civic duty- including the duty to vote out those Senators and Representatives who no longer serve our interests.
Done, and done—by both my husband and I.
Interestingly, using the link in the email, the Democrat senator (FL-Nelson) required our phone number, while the Republican (FL-LeMieux —placeholder—) did not.
Strange huh?
I dropped USAA in the late seventies or early eighties because, with renters insurance, auto insurance, and household goods, I got monthly bills of wildly varying amounts. (Official reaction - "that's what the computer says").
At my pathetic salary in those days I couldn't budget for the swings.
I'm good with Auto Club today.
That said, I'm going to support this request because USAA has done good in a niche that needs to be maintained.