[Discussion] Speaking to Your Representatives

The election is over; however, that does not mean we have to stay silent. I encourage everyone to make your voices heard by calling your representatives. Both in your state government and in the federal government.

Please go here to find your representatives.

Call them today. Call them tomorrow. Keeping calling them. Let them know how you feel about the course of the government. The only way these people will respond is if they fear losing their jobs.

For my part, I could use GWJers help to put together something to say when talking to my representatives. If anyone would like to help me, I'll post what I've got here so far.

"I was deeply troubled and incensed by the President elect's campaign rhetoric on minorities and now his burgeoning administration confirms these fears The appointments he has chosen for his cabinet are united in having supported racist, xenophobic, and homophobic speech and actions.

For my part, I am a trans woman. I am one of your many diverse constituents. I interact daily with people of many different backgrounds that call Indiana home. Through you we have a voice and it is our hope that you will use your voice to oppose the appointment of people that have expressed and continue to express views that are contrary to the inclusiveness that makes America great."

Thanks, RNG! Good idea.

BoogtehWoog wrote:

For my part, I could use GWJers help to put together something to say when talking to my representatives. If anyone would like to help me, I'll post what I've got here so far.

"I was deeply troubled and incensed by the President elect's campaign rhetoric on minorities and now his burgeoning administration confirms these fears The appointments he has chosen for his cabinet are united in having supported racist, xenophobic, and homophobic speech and actions.

For my part, I am a trans woman. I am one of your many diverse constituents. I interact daily with people of many different backgrounds that call Indiana home. Through you we have a voice and it is our hope that you will use your voice to oppose the appointment of people that have expressed and continue to express views that are contrary to the inclusiveness that makes America great."

Personally I would drop the first paragraph and replace it with the kinds is specifics RNG suggested.

Something like "I am troubled by the nomination of Jeff Sessions for (reasons)."or whatever issue you want to make your voice heard on.

My rationale is that I think it is better to present this discourse as an informed citizen with a specific opinion rather than chance being disregarded as just someone written off as "wanting to vent".

Thanks for the advice, Garrcia!

"I was deeply troubled and incensed by the appointments of Steve Bannon as Chief of Staff and Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Both of these people have extensive histories of racist, sexist, and xenophobic rhetoric and actions. These are not people that should hold some of the highest offices in government. These are not people that represent American values.

I am a trans woman. I am one of your many constituents. And the diversity within your constituency is great. I interact daily with people of many different backgrounds that call Indiana home. And all of them depend on your voice to ensure their well-being Through you we have a voice and it is our hope that you will use your voice to oppose people like Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions."

How does this sound?

I agree, expanding and expounding on specifics is probably a good idea.

My struggle is that my congresspeople are such a contemptible lot, I'm not sure if I can stay civil...

Indeed, SPP! I'm not very articulate and especially bad at arguing, so any help that is given is very much appreciated.

I don't want to make it too long since I assume there is only a limited amount of time allotted per call. And that the longer you are, the less likely your point gets across.

BoogtehWoog wrote:

Thanks for the advice, Garrcia!

"I was deeply troubled and incensed by the appointments of Steve Bannon as Chief of Staff and Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Both of these people have extensive histories of racist, sexist, and xenophobic rhetoric and actions. These are not people that should hold some of the highest offices in government. These are not people that represent American values.

I am a trans woman. I am one of your many constituents. And the diversity within your constituency is great. I interact daily with people of many different backgrounds that call Indiana home. And all of them depend on your voice to ensure their well-being Through you we have a voice and it is our hope that you will use your voice to oppose people like Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions."

How does this sound?

Looks good to me.

BoogtehWoog wrote:

Indeed, SPP! I'm not very articulate and especially bad at arguing, so any help that is given is very much appreciated. :)

From what you've posted, you're selling yourself short on articulation, and while it's a sort of an argument, it's not going to be an argumentative one, if that makes sense. I missed this being a call--it's good that you're scripting it out, but you should say everything aloud first as a check, make sure it sounds right when you hear it.

Brevity is also a good idea, but assuming you're dealing with Republicans, I think it's a good idea to emphasize the popular vote loss, and the stats on the electoral votes hinging on three counties that Robear has shared a few times now. Not in a "This election is invalid!" way, but just to remind them that this was not the will of the people.

General advice:

Write in a way that is unlikely to be criticized (your letter may get published or called out). Avoid emotive language, try sticking to factual and objective matters.

Get lots of signatures in a petition to go with it.

This ties in with the second point, but getting a bit of media notice due to numbers will raise the likelihood they will read your letter and respond to it.

Bfgp wrote:

General advice:

Write in a way that is unlikely to be criticized (your letter may get published or called out). Avoid emotive language, try sticking to factual and objective matters.

Get lots of signatures in a petition to go with it.

This ties in with the second point, but getting a bit of media notice due to numbers will raise the likelihood they will read your letter and respond to it.

Fully agree - if you can get enough support the local newspaper and tv station will likely want to talk with you.

Bannon will be chief strategist; Reince Priebus, Chief of Staff.

Thanks for all the help so far!

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If you want to contact your local Congressional representative, Call to Action makes the whole process really simple. You just enter your address or location, and the app tells you who your representative is, where you can get a hold of them, and what you should say to get your point across.