So lately I’ve been following the fiscal cliff issue and the inability to get a deal done which seems to be primarily the republicans fault. And I’m pissed. I’m tired of these people who are supposed to be representing us thwarting every measure to maintain some stability in our lives.
But I’ve never done this before. So is it better to contact your side first or the opposing side? Are calls, letters, or emails best? What is a general approach for a newbie? I live in PA if that’s any help.
Purely anecdotal, but a former roommate of mine interned with Peter Defazio and indicated that written letters received the most attention since the addition effort it took indicated a increased interest in the issue. He also said that fill in the blank astro turf post cards (such as this one here) were basically ignored.
You should contact your own representatives instead of firing off letters to congressmen in other states or districts. I’ve always heard that letters make more of an impression, form or sloppy emails are the least regarded, and phone calls somewhere in the middle.
I use email and phone for urgent issues. Before the anthrax scare, written letters were more effective. I highly doubt written letters are a good way to communicate on any pressing issue these days with the extra scrutiny congressional mail receives.
The best way to contact your representative is commonly known as “stalking.” Some element of erotic aggression is both advisable and indispensible. As a shared experience, mollasses and feathers cannot be overemphasized.
Ordinarily, a ransom note. However, my Congressgit is the Hon. Keith Ellison, so he can be contacted by way of any reliable Islamic terrorist website.
You could email and or call easily. Use this link and enter your zip code to find your reps: Find Your Representative | house.gov.
You can reach them by phone, email, snail mail, or make appointments to come to their offices. Always include your zip code so they know you are a real constituent and not just some crank caller from some other state who feels strongly about some issue.
Generally, your representative won’t actually read or hear the actual messages you send, especially if it’s just a comment and not something that requires a follow up. Often, in-office meetings will be done by and aid as well.
An aid will most likely summarize and aggregate the mails and phone calls, etc., in a report to the rep- “13 pro gun emails, 25 ‘tax the rich’ emails”- something like that.
You can add their phone numbers to your cell phone and call whenever the mood strikes you. During office hours, an aid usually answers the phone. The aid won’t record your whole message, just the gist of it such as "Constituent zip code 90210 supports XYZ’. After hours you can usually leave a recorded message.
I call and write my reps, and have visited their local offices. My reps don’t represent my views much, so I like to remind them that I am a constituent, too.
Tips- Be short and to the point; be polite and reasonable; do not yell or be threatening in any way. And for email, use a second account so they don’t junk up your in-box with their ‘blasts’ or newsletters. I try to direct all my ‘junky mail’ away from my private ‘important stuff’ account. Also, attend their published public meetings. Join a local political club. I meet a lot of my politicians when they speak at our monthly political group meeting.