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Tips for corresponding with government officials

It's easy to get angry, even irate, about the actions (or inaction) taken by our elected officials on important issues. Remember, by writing your representatives you are taking some of the most effective action possible.
If you want to express your displeasure toward your elected officials, here some guidelines to help preserve your sanity and keep you from being targeted, investigated, or harrassed. The people who are responsible for the safety and welfare of our government officials take their jobs seriously, and are not noted for having especially well-developed senses of humor.

• Be polite, if forceful. Never threaten. You can say that you will not vote for them, but you can't say that you will perform acts of physical violence.
• State the issue that concerns you at the beginning of your message. Then briefly state your position. If you want to expound on your reasoning, do so after stating your position. This maximizes the chance that your position will be read and understood.
• Include your name, address, and email address. Anonymous messages are usually ignored. Messages from a local constituent are weighed much more heavily than messages from an "outsider".
• State exactly what you want this official to do.
• It's OK to talk about your personal views, experience, etc. Let the experts cite statistics. Humanize what you write.
• If possible, include words of praise as well as criticism (sometimes it's tough). It will make it more likely that your message will be passed along.
• Chances are that your message will not be read by your representative personally. Their staff will read it and forward the message (pro or con) to them. You will most likely get a form reply from their staff in response.
• Encourage others to write! The stronger our representatives view Public Opinion on an issue (meaning numbers or people interested, not vehemence of any particular message), the more seriously they take it.

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