“But my senator is a Republican”
Gamergate was like 200 people. And now look where we are. “A lot of emails” on a topic to congressional staffers is like, 20. Are politicians spineless idiots? Yes. Use that to your advantage! Is this the only thing you can be doing? No! But it can be the first.
The internet has completely short circuited our sense of scale. The number of people required to move almost any needle is remarkably low. Your involvement in local causes, political pressure WILL have an impact.
Ok, get out there.
Here’s Why You Should Call, Not Email, Your Legislators (Published 2016)
Learn to speak to them in their language.
Re: KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act):
“I am appalled at this MASSIVE GOVERNMENT INVASION of personal rights. Why should the government be getting involved in how websites run themselves? If there are kids getting into trouble on the internet, tell their parents to step up! It’s not my job to take care of everyone’s kids and I don’t want extra roadblocks between me and my websites because some parents aren’t being careful enough.”
Push hard on “law-abiding citizens should not have to jump through extra hoops because some people can’t be bothered to follow the rules.” Lean hard on the idea that the rulebreakers are a tiny number and efforts should focus on finding them without interfering with the rest of us.SAVE act (requiring proof of citizenship for voting):
“I do not support this and you shouldn’t either. The government should not be requiring extra paperwork to vote, especially paperwork that’s often expensive and not easily available. This allows parents who disagree with their kids’ politics – or any caregiver who disagrees with their charges – to withhold the right to vote by restricting access to their documents. The government should be removing restrictions from personal activities, not adding more of them. Please vote against this.”
Imply that you think liberal parents, spouses, or caregivers will hide paperwork to prevent people from voting. Lean into the idea of not inconveniencing millions in order to catch a few dozen criminals.In most cases, you can lean into “I am in support of families and personal autonomy and believe that local communities, not the distant federal government, should decide how to manage themselves. I do not support this thing that invades peoples lives and restricts our freedoms.”
You can also lean on “I do not want you spending my tax dollars on this thing that does not benefit me at all.”
You don’t have to persuade them, especially not in the space of one phone call. You are just trying to convince them that you agree with enough of their politics that they don’t stop listening entirely.
You’re trying to make them think that their choices won’t be popular even with the people who voted for them – who might vote otherwise next time.
And even small numbers help.
amhrancas 