Posted on 05/24/2010 8:43:46 AM PDT by MichCapCon
The Facebook postings sometime show up just minutes apart. But it's not from a heart-broken teen posting about a fractured relationship.
State Rep. Justin Amash is using social networking to lift the cover on the inside maneuverings of the bill-making business at the state Capitol. Amash, a Republican from Kentwood, is giving his 5,000-plus Facebook fans the type of insight you'd expect from a political newsletter.
He can make as many as 20 to 30 posts a day during a legislative session as he explains each bill he is voting on, how he is voting and why.
This is just one way that social media is changing how news is reported. Amash said it can upset traditional media, especially after he announced he was running for U.S. Congress on Facebook.
"After I posted it, I immediately received national attention. We started getting calls from national media outlets. To see the reaction from local media, they were a bit upset I posted my intent to run for Congress rather than go through traditional media."
But Amash said he likes that he can get his message out through his own words and not have to rely on a media "filter."
Other than the media, Amash said his postings are getting rave reviews.
"People are thrilled about it," Amash said. "I'm bringing attention to the overall vote tallies and explaining the reasons for why I voted the way I did."
For example, at 1:04 p.m. Thursday, Amash posted that he voted "no" on House Bill 5244, which required the Department of Human Services to conduct a criminal history check on all individuals seeking enrollment as child care aides or relative care providers...
(Excerpt) Read more at michigancapitolconfidential.com ...
Do you have his Facebook link?
Ummm..., he could have done that on his own website... LOL ...
I think facebook is easier for his followers...they will probably be on the site anyway so can see his updates everytime they are on. They may not remember/make effort to log onto a separate website. I hope this catches on more!
I also want to know about bills in committee and subcommittee and those coming up for a vote.
I hate hearing about crap passing before we even read about it.
It’s in the article: http://www.facebook.com/justinamash
BINGO! The power of the Internet writ large.
This is real transparency.
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