June 29, 2009 6:10 AM
How to contact legislators, track legislation? Part One
This was left as a comment, but now that we are facing so many issues that demand some input from parents who until now have been too busy raising kids - as they should be - to pay much attention to politics, I thought it would be good to cover some basics:
Hi Barbara,Often when I go to contact my reps I doubt my writing ability. I know that to get attention one needs to sound intelligent, clear, AND CONCISE (which is my biggest struggle.) While I don't think that form letters are the best way to go, I was wondering if you would be willing to provide a basic template for writing to your representative. I believe it would give many people a place to start! I know that given the time I could practice something, but with all the major issues at stake in such a short amount of time I find myself trying to say too much each time. Make sense, or am I just as muddled writing to you?
Thanks! Kate
This entry will be the first of a two-part answer.
Earlier, I recommended the U S government's web portal (click below):
This site has a wealth of information. For instance, click here to see over a hundred services they offer - from beach temperatures to mortgage calculators to generic drug equivalents to resume builder. Regardless of whether, this is the vision of the government as envisioned by the Founding Fathers, the information is there.
This site came in with the Obama administration, so I am not sure if it is completely reliable in terms of tracking visitors or placing cookies in your computer. For this reason, even if the US Gov site is useful for other things, I suggest clicking below for an even better venue:
Bookmark Rollcall - particularly this entry page, as it will make wading through the maze of pending legislation much more intelligible. Take a look at everything you can track on that entry page. Then enter your zipcode in the left sidebar for a legislative history of your specific elected officials.
If you have teenagers - PLEASE! - show them how to make the most of this resource to keep informed. If you are busy, they may become very helpful in keeping you up to date on issues. It is very important that we raise our kids to be knowledgeable and not to be susceptible to deceptive and emotional propaganda. (See also Critical Thinking: Teaching your kids to think for themselves.).
For conservative policy researh and analysis, bookmark
To share this with your husband, friends and family use the Share button below.
Next up: Part Two
Posted in Activism, Obama Nation | Permalink
Comments
To track legislation I also recommend the THOMAS system from the Library of Congress site -- thomas.loc.gov.
For legislation specifically related to the life issues I recommend www.nchla.org. (I'm a bit biased as I used to work for NCHLA and helped develop this site.) If you click on "Vote Track" you can look up all life-related legislation from 1973 to the present. You can also see how your representatives and senators have voted. For current issues that require action from constituents, click on the "Action Center."
Posted by: Molly | June 29, 2009 7:53 AM
