Politicians' phones ringing off hook on bailout

Deb Price / The Detroit News WASHINGTON -- Horse-carriage driver Raymond Miller of Mackinac Island keeps himself busy between guiding tours by repeatedly dialing the White House and the Congress to complain about the $700 billion bailout plan for Wall Street. "Nobody answers the phone," Miller complains. "I'm either put on hold and then disconnected, or told the circuits are all busy." Miller called the White House, was put on hold, and after 30 minutes was disconnected. He dialed multiple numbers trying to reach U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, and U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee. Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, an aide to Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, answered the telephone and a surprised Miller was finally able to explain why he doesn't want the senator to vote for the proposal. "I would think that the White House and... [read full story]