As I understand it, making a phone call to your representative's district office is the most effective way for a constituent to influence them. (I have that from memory of a Barney Frank document that I cannot now find a link to.)
This is confirmed by a series of tweets by Emily Coleman (@editoremilye at https://twitter.com/editoremilye/s…
As I understand it, making a phone call to your representative's district office is the most effective way for a constituent to influence them. (I have that from memory of a Barney Frank document that I cannot now find a link to.)
"I worked for Congress for 6 years, and here's what I learned about how they listen to constituents."
"..the most effective thing is to actually call them on the phone. At their district (state) office. They have to talk to you there."
"...if your rep is a different party, you should still get in touch. We didn't hear from those ppl enough."
"Ask specific questions about their stance on legislation, don't just call to rant."
Along the way, she says to establish a relationship with staff.
IIRC, Barney Frank emphasized that a well-researched, well-spoken phone call says you took the time to think about it and make the call.
There's no guarantee this will "work." I call my Republican State Senator and express my thoughts. The staffer listens attentively and says he'll report my comments to the Senator. I think that lets them know they don't have 100% agreement among their constituents.
In spite of my skepticism, good ideas. Marsha Blackburn, Trump’s girl, has shown she doesn’t care what I think. The new guy was just sworn in yesterday; he joined the Sedition Caucus BEFORE that. Tim Burchett is a good ol’ boy who signed onto the TX lawsuit. Tennesseans are sunk.
I regularly call, too; and though I try not to rant, I do stick to a single topic on each call.
When Trump was first elected, I called all three of my reps in Washington and found that the people answering the phones would actually engage in discussion and would answer my questions. That didn't last too long .... and sometimes I have to remind them to ask for my zip code. It doesn't give me confidence that my calls are worth my time, yet I persist.
I have left voicemail messages on Hawley's and Blunt's phones but they are no longer actually connecting people to humans. I am fortunate that my congressman, Emmanuel Cleaver, is high up in the Dem leadership but the majority of the MO legislative group is a bunch of ignoramuses who think that following their Dear Leader will result in a return to the good old days of Jim Crow. The only way to get these [expletive deleted--I've been yelling at the radio a lot these days] out is the ballot box. OR indictment. Take your pick.
As I understand it, making a phone call to your representative's district office is the most effective way for a constituent to influence them. (I have that from memory of a Barney Frank document that I cannot now find a link to.)
This is confirmed by a series of tweets by Emily Coleman (@editoremilye at https://twitter.com/editoremilye/status/797243415922515970?s=20), starting with
"I worked for Congress for 6 years, and here's what I learned about how they listen to constituents."
"..the most effective thing is to actually call them on the phone. At their district (state) office. They have to talk to you there."
"...if your rep is a different party, you should still get in touch. We didn't hear from those ppl enough."
"Ask specific questions about their stance on legislation, don't just call to rant."
Along the way, she says to establish a relationship with staff.
IIRC, Barney Frank emphasized that a well-researched, well-spoken phone call says you took the time to think about it and make the call.
There's no guarantee this will "work." I call my Republican State Senator and express my thoughts. The staffer listens attentively and says he'll report my comments to the Senator. I think that lets them know they don't have 100% agreement among their constituents.
In spite of my skepticism, good ideas. Marsha Blackburn, Trump’s girl, has shown she doesn’t care what I think. The new guy was just sworn in yesterday; he joined the Sedition Caucus BEFORE that. Tim Burchett is a good ol’ boy who signed onto the TX lawsuit. Tennesseans are sunk.
Same here in Floriduh. Marco Rubio is not only a staunch Repugnant, but by his religious tweets to some non-christian diety he is loco.
Loco rubio
They all belong in Mar a Loco.
I've got the trifecta with Rubio, Scott and Congressman Gus Bilirakis who has already signed onto the sedition caucus.
Those seditious people need to hear from you even more so!!
I know. They will.
Thanks for all this great advice!
I regularly call, too; and though I try not to rant, I do stick to a single topic on each call.
When Trump was first elected, I called all three of my reps in Washington and found that the people answering the phones would actually engage in discussion and would answer my questions. That didn't last too long .... and sometimes I have to remind them to ask for my zip code. It doesn't give me confidence that my calls are worth my time, yet I persist.
I have left voicemail messages on Hawley's and Blunt's phones but they are no longer actually connecting people to humans. I am fortunate that my congressman, Emmanuel Cleaver, is high up in the Dem leadership but the majority of the MO legislative group is a bunch of ignoramuses who think that following their Dear Leader will result in a return to the good old days of Jim Crow. The only way to get these [expletive deleted--I've been yelling at the radio a lot these days] out is the ballot box. OR indictment. Take your pick.
People in every aRed state should be doing this now.
Thank You. I will.