I work in HR and sadly this sort of thing is a problem across all workplaces - people don't hear positive reinforcement they only get bitched at when things are bad..... It's something most of us in HR try to change....

busy. You two have turned my head around about this. With all the darkness we are living through, it's a way we can contribute some light. Love it -- thank you both.

When on TV, Warner has looked exhausted many times during this administration. I think it has been very difficult emotionally and mentally, as well as physically, to try to prevent Republicans from destroying everything. He sent out a constituent email recently asking for our views, but I think he really also wanted support and thanks, which he deserves for working very hard for us. So I sent mine. Have also thanked Kaine at other times.

That was one of the reasons I felt so strongly that they need appreciation and support to buoy them up.

Meanwhile I'm stuck with Cruz and Cornyn. Fucking Texas needs to finally flip

I call GOP senators and congresspeople who are in GOP states since mine are Dems. I call the other states' reps to complain and I pretend I am a constituent and it works too. I also call the Dem reps in my state and particular ones from other states depending on the various timely issues. I call them up to say "Thank you for your work" and the staffers are always so surprised. I know that they do not hear it that often but I know it is important.

I was a teacher and positive reinforcement is not only needed in the classroom but throughout adult life. People are so busy and self absorbed and the small amount of effort it takes to be polite is something that has been declining. Writing or calling to say "thank you" or "good job" takes very little time and effort but it is so beneficial. It gives encouragement and pride to people and the work they do. My niece was a volunteer staffer who answered phones in DC for my congressman and she said hardly anyone ever called to say "thanks" and that was really disappointing to hear.

You for your activism in Oregon and letting your Senators know how much you appreciate them.

Very Inspiring!

to have all Democrats (Reed, Whitehouse, Rep Langevin, Cicilline) Also it was great to see Senator Whitehouse in Active Measures.

My senators (note lower case).. not one bit.

I need to call or email some Senators and Representatives. The only representation I have is in other states.

They all held the line. They should be commended.

Just shot off emails to my Rep and 2 Sens.

I do have good ones, all Dems. Like the first response above, I live in WA state with Sens Murray and Cantwell and Rep Adam Smith, also a D. All good people.

I did have Al Franken, but don't get me started... Anyhow, I'm fortunate to have three progressive women representing me now, and I really should show some appreciation and not just relax because I don't have to complain!

Senators Chris Van Hollen & Ben Cardin. I live right outside of DC and I see them often at various events, particularly Chris. I try to call their offices periodically and give them my thanks, encouragement, and also my views on various bills before the Senate. The staff is ALWAYS very appreciative. I asked them once if I called too often, Chris's staffer said "definitely not!"

Edited to add: I also call my great Representative, Jamie Raskin. I see him very often; he's active in the community.

Warren and Markey.

Love them both. I am in contact often.

Merkley and Wyden are my senators as well. I use Resistbot to tell them my views even when I know we’re aligned and thank them for their work. Most recently I let them know that I’d be fine with a compromise on the wall rather than allow people to die in an air disaster. Luckily, Trump gave in before that happened.

You're so right - ANY time you can reinforce their good behavior, DO IT! They work for YOU. It's not the other way around. And you should always manage and steer them toward the direction in which you want them to go.

We spend enough time letting 'em know when we don't like what they did. We DO INDEED need to call with an attaboy or attagirl when they do something right!

Positive reinforcement! Responsible parents know that, too. ALWAYS reward and reinforce GOOD behavior! It encourages more. Especially with our reps. They need to know when we have their backs. The bad guys are always yammering on about their damn base. Well, WE HAVE ONE, TOO!

We ARE one, and OUR base is BIGGER! Don't ever forget that! trump didn't win the popular vote, and he sure as hell won't win again it if he runs again. I tend to think the vote against him will be even more lopsidedly large if there is a next time.

Btw - I went to one of Wyden's town halls, too, several weeks ago, since we're Oregonians now. I was lucky enough to be able to ask a question, and I asked about leverage - as in - what, if anything, did he plan to do to use the leverage we just gave the Dems when we flipped the House, even if the CONS still hold the Senate. He said they're well aware of the new clout Democrats have since the midterm election, and there were several different ways they were, indeed, using that leverage, teaming up with House Dems more vigorously, taking advantage now that there was some advantage to be had. I was glad he was well-aware of that.

Our move meant one unfortunate thing: we had to trade the FANTASTIC Ted Lieu for something far less impressive, Kurt Schrader. He's a Gem, but kind of a DINO, really. He's in what I call the "Problem Caucus" (as opposed to the "Problem Solvers Caucus" because it often seems to lean toward some sort of capitulation to GOP positions). Our Indivisible group meets with Schrader's office staff once a month, and most recently, the staffer was an office supervisor. She was rather testy and defensive at times. There was this general sense that our concerns tended to be dismissed because we're seen as progressives, which gets us less respect with him and his staff. This staffer indicated that all we ever do is complain, and she scolded us a little bit. So I spoke up and said that's not true. Because I happen to be on the team that writes the weekly Call To Action emails that go out to our members and friends. There's an "ask" for every weekday, with details and links and suggested scripts, and a lot of local events posted as well (of ours, and of sister organizations in our county). I spoke up to tell her I KNOW this isn't true because from time to time we actually DO include "Extra Credit" items like "thank Kurt Schrader" for voting this way on some bill or co-sponsoring some other bill we think is important. And I looked her straight in the eye and told her flat-out - "I know this because I personally WROTE a couple of those just in the last few weeks." And she didn't have a comeback.

That felt SOOOO GOOD!

Another btw: A friend invited me to attend the Clackamas Dems monthly meeting last week, and I spotted this same Schrader office manager there. At the end, I made my way over to her, introduced myself and reminded her of our most recent office meeting. And I also gently reminded her that, YES, I wasn't pulling her leg, we really DO write up a Thank-Kurt-Schrader message sometimes. She was pleasant and seemed more receptive in this second encounter. Just reinforcing the good behavior. It IS important. And what you always want is somebody on that other end who IS receptive. You can get more accomplished that way.