We've all been encouraged to write to our Senators about our opinions on what's been going on in our government. Here, we send letters about video games. [B]Have you sent anything to your representatives?[/B] Have they written back? If so, [U]post your letters here![/U]

I sent this to my two Senators (John Barrasso & Mike Enzi) and one Representative (Cynthia Lummis):

[COLOR=Navy][I]Dear Senator Mike Enzi,

I am concerned about a bill being considered concerning video games. I am currently studying to be a member of this industry and I find it unsettling that a California congressman, Joe Baca (D), is trying to dampen the video game/electronic entertainment's reputation by placing warning labels warning consumers of the "health hazards" that video games supposedly bring upon the consumer. When I say “dampen reputation” I mean to say is that by putting these warnings in place would give consumers the idea that the industry can’t monitor itself. Whether or not they are hazardous to our health, the fact is that the industry already regulates itself with the Entertainment Software Rating Board, or the ESRB, for short. The ESRB is already fiercely advertising their rating system and informing consumers, and more specifically parents, about mature content in video games. I do not see the need for such warnings when the industry already has matured enough to the point where it is willing and able to inform its consumers.
I ask you do everything in your power to make sure this bill is not passed. This industry is near and dear to myself and many, many others in the United States and beyond.

To my knowledge the bill is H.R. 231. For more information on this issue and the ESRB please visit the links below:
[url]http://www.esrb.org/[/url]
[url]http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/01/12/new-bill-congress-woul[/url] d-add-cigarette-warning-labels-video-games
I thank you for your time and hope you consider my argument against this bill.[/I][/COLOR]

That's my rough draft, I don't know where the file is for my final draft.

This was a response from John Barrasso:

[COLOR=Navy][I]January 30, 2009
Dear Josephine,

Thank you for contacting me about video games. It is good to hear from you.

As you may know, Representative Joe Baca (D-CA) introduced H.R. 231 on January 7, 2009. This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure a certain warning label be placed on the packaging of any video game that is rated T (Teen) or higher by the Electronics Software Ratings Board. The warning labels would state "WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior." H.R. 231 is pending in the United States House of Representatives. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind should this legislation be filed in the Senate.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me about this important issue. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

John Barrasso, M.D.
United States Senator [/I][/COLOR]