"People have tremendous power, more than the average person understands, and certainly more than even I understood before I came to Congress. When any of my constituents writes me a letter, I promise you, we're listening"
About this Quote
Norwood is selling a democratic fantasy with just enough insider realism to make it believable. The first move is a confession: even a member of Congress, he says, underestimated “tremendous power.” That feigned humility isn’t just a personality note; it’s a credential. By admitting prior ignorance, he implies he’s now initiated into the machinery of influence and can translate it back to the public. It’s a classic representative’s pivot: I’m on the inside, but I’m still on your side.
The key phrase is “more than the average person understands.” It flatters constituents by reframing cynicism as ignorance, not apathy: you’re not powerless, you’re simply uninformed about your leverage. That’s an invitation to participate without demanding a radical overhaul of the system. Power remains properly routed through sanctioned channels: letters, offices, “listening.” Not protest, not organizing, not money (the awkward elephant in any lobbying-saturated room), but the respectable civic act that fits neatly into congressional workflow.
“We’re listening” does a lot of rhetorical work while promising almost nothing. Listening is cheaper than acting; it’s also harder to disprove. Norwood’s “I promise you” attempts to patch that credibility gap with intimacy, as if constituent mail triggers immediate attention rather than entering a triage system staffed by aides, databases, and form replies. The subtext is reassurance in an era of mistrust: the institution may look distant, but it is porous. The intent is both civic encouragement and political inoculation: if you feel ignored, try again, and keep trying with me.
The key phrase is “more than the average person understands.” It flatters constituents by reframing cynicism as ignorance, not apathy: you’re not powerless, you’re simply uninformed about your leverage. That’s an invitation to participate without demanding a radical overhaul of the system. Power remains properly routed through sanctioned channels: letters, offices, “listening.” Not protest, not organizing, not money (the awkward elephant in any lobbying-saturated room), but the respectable civic act that fits neatly into congressional workflow.
“We’re listening” does a lot of rhetorical work while promising almost nothing. Listening is cheaper than acting; it’s also harder to disprove. Norwood’s “I promise you” attempts to patch that credibility gap with intimacy, as if constituent mail triggers immediate attention rather than entering a triage system staffed by aides, databases, and form replies. The subtext is reassurance in an era of mistrust: the institution may look distant, but it is porous. The intent is both civic encouragement and political inoculation: if you feel ignored, try again, and keep trying with me.
Quote Details
| Topic | Freedom |
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