Easy Steps to Contact your Representatives/Senators

Recently, I have had several people say, "That's a great idea! Wait - how do I contact my representative?" It never occurred to me that people may not know how to do it.

So here is a very short guide on How to Contact Your Representatives/Senators.

1. Find their contact information. There are a ton of websites out there to help you with this goal. Of course if you already know the name of the representative a quick Google search works well. For example, a quick Google search of "Greg Walden Oregon" (Oregon State Representative) brings up the following: http://walden.house.gov/  If Greg Walden is your representative, simply click on the "contact Greg" link at the top of the page, and you're set. Should you not know who your representative is, the following links will be useful:
House Rep: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

2. Get their attention. A hand written letter is going to get attention much better than an email off an activism website. This Christmas season I encouraged everyone to send a Christmas Card (Or Hanukkah card) to their representatives and senators. I purchased a box of nice Christmas cards for the occasion and included a nice handwritten note that said the following:

Dear Senator Merkley,

Thank you for your service to the state of Oregon. This year, all I want for Christmas is a balanced budget, and a return to sound economic policy. 

Warmest Christmas wishes from our family to yours.

Liberty and Peace,

The Walker Family 

Of course, if you are short on time, but still want to send a message an email always works. Senators and Congressmen make it easy for us to do this with a form that you fill out on their website. Just remember to a) Make your point clear. They receive a lot of correspondence. Keep it to the point, but say what you need to say. If you are writing about a specific piece of legislation, include it in the subject line, and in the first sentence of your message. (eg HR 459) b) Stay civilized. If you're really fuming, you may want to think over your message before you type it out and hit that send button. c) I always like to thank them for their SERVICE (sometimes it seems they forget what it is they are doing). Also, a wise person once said, "flattery will get you everywhere". 

Once you've sent your letter or email be sure to let your friends know about the issue that caught your attention, and encourage them to send a message of their own.

3. Local politics are even more important than national ones. Don't forget! To find out how to reach your state representative and state senator go to your state's website. For example, I live in Oregon, so that information would be found at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ A quick Google search "(your state) legistlator" should find you what you are looking for.

4. It is always exciting to get a message back from your Senator/Congressman. Whenever this happens I will often forward it, or post it on a blog for those who have also been active in whichever issue the message was about. Sometimes the reply you receive will make you feel victorious, and other times it will be infuriating. It will be easy to keep in mind come voting time. Remember, the constitution created such short term limits so that we could vote out representatives who we don't feel are doing their job. So don't get discouraged. Keep up the hard work.

Best of luck! :)

Liberty and Peace! Politikrys