I just called U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to get an email address so I could write him about getting aid to Ukraine. I was astonished when the staffer told me he only takes email messages from his Louisiana constituents.

I wanted to add my tiny voice to the chorus of Americans who believe that if we don’t support Ukraine against unprovoked Russian aggression, that we’ll inevitably be fighting a land war with American troops on the ground at high risk across eastern Europe if not, God forbid, in a far broader war. Unfortunately, the Speaker of the House does not allow Americans outside of his district to communicate with him by email.

The staffer took my oral message, but declined to read it back, so I could be sure it was transcribed accurately. I never expected that my single message would have swayed Mr. Johnson to allow a vote on aid to Ukraine. But, I thought that he’d at least want to keep his finger on the pulse of all Americans. My mistake. But I will be writing him a polite snail mail note at Speaker Johnson; H-232 The Capitol; Wasington, DC 20007. Who knows? Maybe he'll hear this citizen's voice. One can hope.

Matthew Shulman

Groton