Oklahomans Struggle For Bailout Answers

By Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The public overwhelmed congressional offices with phone calls and emails about the bailout plan. Some people couldn't even get through.

Congressional staffers say many of the calls and emails were in opposition to the plan, but what about the people who couldn't register their opinion or just ask a question?

"We tried to go and get a copy of the bill because you can't really say pro or con or have an opinion until you've read the bill," said Deborah Taggart.

Taggart tried to learn what she could about the bailout legislation, but she had a difficult time getting solid answers. She found it was even harder to contact her member of congress.

"And it's sort of bizarre that this is being pushed as the piece of legislation of our lifetime and we can't access the people who represent us, who are voting for us, to determine our future, so any questions we have, there's no access," said Taggart.

She tried everything, the web, the phone and email. She tried to reach her member of congress, then the other Oklahoma representatives and senators, even as they were preparing to vote on the bailout.

"Couldn't get access to their e-mail, without many attempts and couldn't leave messages because their mailboxes were filled," said Taggart.

Eventually we got some e-mail through, but we only got confirmation from one presidential candidate and one area legislator, so we don't know what did or didn't get through.

Taggart finally got a copy of the 110 page bill from the BBC. She read it and had questions, but had no luck reaching her representatives to get answers.

When the vote happened, it was without anyone in Congress knowing what this voter wanted them to do.

Tulsa First District Congressman John Sullivan said his vote on Monday was in response to concerns he was hearing from constituents.

Since it failed, but will be reconsidered, voters have more time to have their opinion heard.