The problem with form letters

Categories: Health, Infertility, Politics
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Remember back in February (yes, February) when I posted a letter I sent to the White House about insurance coverage for conception? I checked the box that said I would like a reply back. A fact I had pretty much forgotten because that was clear back in February. Yesterday, two and a half months later, I got that reply.

Now you’d probably think if it took that long the reply would have something to with the original letter. You’d be able to see the connection between the two and the reply would be an actual response, even if it was written by an aide. If they were just depending on an automated system with form letters then you’d think they could shoot out a reply relatively quickly (maybe have the system wait a day or two so it didn’t come across as one of those “we got your message, thanks” kind of things) and the automated reply could use the name submitted with the original message.

And if you thought that, you’d be wrong.

Go read the letter I wrote. And then read this reply:

I tell them my name and they reply “Dear Friend.” I’m feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy right now. I write them about conception, and they reply telling me about contraception. He appreciates my perspective? He clearly doesn’t even know what my perspective is.

Yup. My voice was heard. I need to speak a little louder.

9 shared thoughts about The problem with form letters

  1. Laylabean says:
    Giggle

    You have got to be kidding! Of course, that was about what I expected, sadly.

    Reply
  2. Brett says:
    Giggle

    Go easy on them. You know how writer’s block goes. :brett:

    Reply
  3. mama G says:
    Giggle

    Both ideas start with “con”, so he or they just stopped there and wrote about what they wanted to write. They obivously didn’t read your letter closely, so I guess they figured you wouldn’t read theirs closely either. :unsure:

    Reply
  4. mama G says:
    Giggle

    They saw “women’s issues” and sent you the form letter for that. Too bad they didn’t read your letter. :tractor:

    Reply
  5. Lara says:
    Giggle

    uh, frustrating. Maybe if you sent it in with a million dollar check you would get a better response.
    sad, but true.

    Reply
  6. Katy says:
    Giggle

    Hooray for thoughtful leadership. Boo.

    Reply
  7. Hilary says:
    Giggle

    I don’t think he really cares… 🙂

    Reply
  8. Giggle

    It’s insane, isn’t it? “Reproductive rights” no longer refers to or includes the right to reproduce–I feel like I live in a world where sense and reason have been abandoned.

    Well-written letter, by the way. (Yours, not theirs.) I hope you sent them a scathing reply.

    Reply

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