Congenial correspondence

BY ROCK MAGEN

With the results of “Super Tuesday” fresh in our minds, many of us may be ready to see some upcoming changes in our political climate. The “game” of politics is a time-honored pursuit, and if we don’t stand up for our own interest, how can we rightly expect anyone else to? The day will come (if it hasn’t already) that you will come across an issue you feel strongly about. In these moments it’s important that you actually start the process of doing something about it — by writing to your elected official.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right of all citizens to communicate with their elected representatives. This is a right that we are extremely fortunate to have, and all too often, we may feel apathetic or get caught up in the notion that politicians are so corrupt that it is not worth our time to petition them. Things will never change if we don’t get involved and hold our politicians accountable.

Writing an elected official is not as difficult or time-consuming as you may imagine. Here are a few guidelines to help you make your voice heard:

Proper acknowledgment. As much as we may hate “titles” or “labels” it is important to open the letter with an appropriate salutation. For a representative or senator, “To the Honorable…” is always a safe bet. If you feel more comfortable calling them out with a title, that is acceptable as well.

Keep it short. Get right to the point. Open the letter by summarizing why you are writing and what you want from them. If you are writing about one piece of legislation, in particular, including its official name and number if possible. Try not to ramble, if the letter gets too long, the person may get bored and stop reading.

Evidence. Hard facts and statistics cited from a specific, published source (and yes, you need to include a citation) can support your position and give you further credibility. Personal stories can also be appropriate if you can tie it back to how this affects you specifically.

Respect. In some instances, you may be writing to an official you voted against. This is still someone of power and influence, and generally, you are asking for them to do you a favor. Time spent challenging someone’s character or honesty is going to be counterproductive to your cause. Above all, NEVER include anything that could be viewed as a threat — unless you enjoy the idea of an FBI investigation. NO ONE loves a person in uniform THAT much.

Writing your representative may seem like only a small thing, but politicians need to know that their constituents are paying attention. They work for you, and if they don’t do their job and actually satisfy the request of those they represent, they can get voted out of office during the next election. Think about that — they can actually be accountable for their actions! So, as you are preparing to “rock the vote” also consider making your voice heard through written correspondence. Use this as a chance to purchase some customized stationery — I know I enjoy participating in retail therapy for a good cause!