How to Communicate With Elected Officials.

[Altjaeger]

Alan started an excellent thread about his intentions to communication with his representatives. I thought maybe it is worth talking about how to do so effectively.

Correspondence is the best way as an individual to be heard. Make it polite, non-threatening and brief remembering that you are but one of a hundred or more wanting his attention that day.

Emails and telephone calls are becoming increasingly important means of communicating. You will be dealing with staffers who will consolidate your opinions with others reporting to their boss where the constituants are trending on an issue.

Another means is every representative in Washington will have an office in his district. Stop and visit the staffer there face to face making yourself and your beliefs known in a polite, non-threatening way.

Last and perhaps I think most effectively do as special interests do. Get a lobbyist. The NRA is probaby the most effective lobbyist in Washington according to elected officials. If you are not a member consider joining. Right now they are offering a special trial membership. Bill Clinon drove them to their largest membership ever. I won't be surprised if O'Bama and crew don't beat that record. Pro and anti abortionist will all have paid lobbyist. Join one of the organizations representing your view point. If they are not membership organization make a small donation.

Perhaps most important be a read and informed voter actively involved in the process.

[Badger]

Altjaeger,

Excellent reminder about how to communicate with our elected representatives: be brief, courteous and thank them for their attention to our concerns.

I would add that I request to be placed on my elected representatives' email newsletter list to follow up and see how they actually voted on an issue.

Badger

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

I sent a few letters but mainly I have been using the contact emails listed on their various sites. It is somewhat discouraging at times because I get no acknowledgement of receipt of my message. John Cornyn is the only one that has responded and he has done so by sending me his newsletter, which is better than nothing I suppose. I am sure going to become very vocal about all of this around election time. I hope my voting choices are not the status quo of voting for the lesser of two evils or simply voting against a candidate. I want some statesmen for a change.

Thanks for the information Paul.

Alan

[ncboman]

a handwritten letter carries more weight than many emails.

asking is more likely to provoke thought than telling.

ncboman

[Badger]

ncbowman,

Yes, a written letter carries a lot of weight today, but in the not too distant future we will become a paperless society. Therefore, emails are the wave of the future.

Badger

[Smokey]

I agree with all of you that letters carry more weight than an email. Additionally there is a better chance of receiving a reply. More people do need to get involved in letting elected officials know the general public is not happy with their actions.

Besides letters generate more money for the postal service. They are losing a ton of money again this year and and they have a monoply. Didn't the head of the postal service receive a $100,000 pay increase last year?