Holy shit what

[Jarka]

Oh yea. He's a moron. Shouldn't be in Congress. But I think Sophia said it best:
I mean, right off the bat she's getting flustered over the fact he uses her first name. Yea, it's probably not the most appropriate way to start off a letter like that, but is it "I'm seething already" worthy?

Must hold back... feminist diatribe...
don't make me.... rant... you wouldn't like me... [SIZE="5"]when I'm ranting...
[/SIZE]
GRAGGHH JARKA TIRADE!

The issue with using simply a first name when corresponding with a woman is one of those problems that is very steeped in both privilege and trivialization, and, as a result, often goes overlooked in discussion. In American society, it is a sign of respect to refer to somebody by their full title unless they are in a state of familiarity.

Picture a teenager trying to impress their date's parents. It's not first name basis, it's Mr. Lim or Mrs. Washington. Granted, once they reach a comfortable state of acquaintance (or, if one party attempts to make the other party comfortable), they will say, "Please, call me Dana." However, this is with the express permission of the party involved (and, in fact, can often make the individual the request is directed to even more uncomfortable, as it is disrupting a power balance).

There is also a bit of a transition state in American social politics: the use of the last name without titles. Commonly used in workplaces, the parties refer to one another as simply "Bukowski" or "Lopez". It is a subtle means of signifying familiarity without abandoning respect for their position.

As a result of the close ties between titles and respect within American society, it is unsurprising that using first names in situations that do not call for them has been used as a means to demean women in the past and continues to be used today. It is not always intentional, but neither is tucking your purse closer or checking for your wallet when a person of color sits near you on a bus - doesn't make it not bigoted.

Think about it from a professional versus familiar standpoint: during an debate, the degree of respect between a coworker or a boss prevents you from treating it like an argument with a friend. With a friend, you're able to say, "That's a fucking stupid idea, man, and you're stupid for thinking it" or a similar derivative. The familiar nature allows for frankness and a less biased analysis of where the argument is coming from. When discussing with coworkers, there is a much greater degree of tact involved - in order to avoid a poisonous workplace, one must learn to attack ideas without attacking the person presenting them. (Of course, this is in an ideal situation, as plenty of workplaces are poisonous as hell).

By the representative forgoing any sort of formal title (or greeting - remember, it wasn't Dear Firstname, it was just Firstname), he is immediately putting her at a level undeserving of respect without her express permission.

I really haven't gone much farther than the surface, but I hope you can get a glimmer of WHY it is an issue. This douche (notice the lack of respect for him by forgoing any sort of name and referring solely by a descriptor) is supposed to be a representative of the people. While he may not have intended to offend by calling her, a woman arguing a commonly feminist stance, by her first name, that would be like asking a black constituent where the nearest KFC is - you might have had a hankering for chicken and totes "don't even see color", but holy shit pay attention to context, you motherfucker. Granted, it is probably not the issue that deserves the most focus in the letter (I can't even pick one... releasing his daughter's medical information? Ominous voting records? Feelings versus facts? Fucking TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUNDS REQUIRED FOR ABORTIONS?"), but it is not trivial, either, especially not when combined with all the rest of it.

Honestly, had I gone through the process of writing to my representative and they had responded with a letter like that, I would have gone apeshit as well.

(NOTE: I just woke up so I'm not sure how much sense this made. Sorry!)