User Comments

1. 

   8/10/09

   Anok

   I don't k now what advice was given on the sh ow (I just got a snippet about it?) but I have worked with Senators and state governors before.
   
   Uhm, well... the way it works and has worked for me is that I'm constantly active (politically) on a local level - and I network from there. I've worked on campaigns for Senators, Governors, and Representatives as well as local government seats since I was like - a little kid. (Which doesn't really mean I *worked* that young, but was certainly exposed to it, and did some "glad handing" ).
   
   The last time I had contact with our senator it was over a banking matter, however having worked on/with his campaign, as well as working with him for troop support after we went into Iraq - I already had a working relationship to some extent. He and his office was happy to help any way that they could.
   
   I found that directly contacting them to the best of your ability - being very clear about your concern/issue and leaving clear contact information as well as a "I will call back at [this day:this time]" I look forward to coming to an [agreement:resolution:whatever] at that time" works well.
   
   But networking on a local level and getting active in campaigning is really how you can gain the advantage of your rep's ear. I don't know why everyone isn't involved in some way on a local level - it's the most decentralized form of government that you actually have some control over because the government lives right in your town.
   
   *shrug*

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   1. 

      8/10/09

      clioandme

      Sounds interesting, though that might only be viable for smaller states, at least where senators are concerned. For reps, though, that could make good sense.
      
      One piece of advice they offered related to how specific one is, because a long list of sentiments is nothing they can act on except to send a nice note saying thank you for your concern.
      
      Another piece they offer is not insisting on actual contact with the legislator, because then the contact is bound to be pretty short and meaningless, especially if it involves face time in Washington. Instead one should call and find out which staff member is working on a particular issue and address concerns to them.
      
      It's at that point that specificity matters, which is what you talk about too.
      
      And it should go without saying that you're calling your own legislators, though I suppose their phone people are trained to be polite to everyone, and some are probably contemplating a run in 2012. There's also that strange phenomenon of funding from national sources (both sides do it), which might distort local results, and which might keep ears open, even if they aren't representing the person speaking. This last paragraph is only my two cents. The rest came from the program.
      
      Edited to add: By the way, Anok, there's a deeper reason for thinking about this. If people are feeling disenfranchised or frustrated to the point where they shut down so-called town hall meetings, maybe they need better information about how to communicate with their legislators. After all, we do live in a representative democracy. (Well, not me, but that might change.)
   2. 

      8/10/09

      Anok

      Yes, I would certainly agree with:
      
      Making your concern short and concise, and be willing to work with the team members instead of the senator/rep etc you were hoping for. I would say that you shouldn't feel brushed off if they transfer you to the thus-and-such office for more information. It's actually very useful, particularly because you will be dealing with people who know that issue/project intimately.
      
      People will always be rather disenfranchised with their ability or lack thereof to communicate directly with larger than life reps. You have one person, representing sometimes several million people. That's a lot!
      
      I like to take things down to the smallest denominator available - and work up from there. You know, your town committees DO work with the parties on a national level - you might start by joining your local party town committee, and network that way as well.
      
      That's what I do
   3. 

      8/10/09

      clioandme

      You're an unusual anarchist. You do democracy here, and on other threads you do capitalism.
   4. 

      8/10/09

      Anok

      On a local level, participating in one's government is very Anarchistic indeed. it's decentralized from the greater state.
      
      But yeah...when life gives you lemons...
2. 

   8/10/09

   clioandme

   I would have figured that those who are screaming loudest about not being heard would be interested in one very practical way to be heard. Guess I was wrong. Maybe some of those who feel disenfranchised are creating a kind of self-fulfilling prophesy?

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