In a unique twist on political engagement, a mother of three, Sarah Thompson, decided to send a pizza to her senator, expressing her concerns about Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education. After weeks of trying to reach Senator John Smith (R-Idaho) without success, Sarah turned to an unconventional method to get her message across. She only managed to leave a voicemail once, but it went unanswered, prompting her to think outside the box.
Feeling anxious about DeVos’s impending Senate confirmation hearing, Sarah wanted her voice to be heard. With no response from Senator Smith’s office, she took to the GrubHub app and ordered a 12-inch ham and pineapple pizza, a topping that often sparks debate. She requested a note to be included with the delivery: “From a concerned constituent: Please vote NO on Betsy DeVos. She is not the right choice for our public schools.” Sarah even included a generous $10 tip for the delivery person.
However, this clever approach backfired. Sarah tweeted about the situation, revealing that the senator’s office rejected the pizza delivery, deeming it “suspicious.” A security officer contacted her, indicating that they had reported the pizza as potentially threatening. “I had a moment of panic when I received the call,” said Sarah, who works as a healthcare professional. “But it was just a pizza, not a threat.”
In the meantime, Sarah’s efforts caught the attention of the senator’s staff, who eventually relayed her message to Senator Smith. “I wanted him to know how I felt as someone he represents,” she explained. Despite her lack of prior political activism, Sarah’s concerns grew as she watched DeVos’s confirmation hearing, a sentiment shared by many parents across the nation.
The Senate was set to vote on DeVos’s nomination that day, with Democrats rallying against her appointment, urging their Republican colleagues to prioritize the welfare of children. You would think this would be an easy decision given the lack of qualifications DeVos has, yet Senator Smith remained non-committal, having previously praised her despite widespread criticism.
Interestingly enough, Sarah added her own controversial spin to the situation by noting her fondness for ham and pineapple pizza. “It turns out my pizza choice is as divisive as DeVos herself,” she quipped. If you’re interested in learning more about family planning and related topics, check out this informative post on home insemination kits.
In summary, Sarah Thompson’s inventive effort to communicate with her senator about Betsy DeVos highlights the challenges constituents face in engaging with their elected officials, especially when traditional means fall short. While her pizza delivery didn’t go as planned, it sparked a conversation about the importance of voicing concerns regarding educational leadership.