I too have a horror of picking up the phone and dialing a stranger, especially when my feelings are running so hot. But I take a moment before hitting “dial” on my Five Calls App (get it! It makes all of this so easy!), and making notes on what I want to say. Last week we Five Callers were urging our senators to turn down the appropriations bill for ICE and DHS. And look at that, they did! I know, I didn’t do that. OTOH, I felt part of it, which is important. About one out of five times an actual human picks up the phone, and I thank them for speaking with me, right off the bat. Then I tell them I’m a voter and constituent, and give my address, as the app instructs me. My longest phonecall has been about a minute; it takes much less time to just leave a message, which I always do. Not so hard, I’m finding out. These times make you find your voice quickly.
Good advice. I have been shocked by the silence from most of our elected officials, so we all need to do our civic duty to let them know our concerns about this moment in history.
It is as if the country is walking into civil war and our "leaders" are turning a blind eye. It all feels so terrifying.
I work with college students and they are so afraid for their futures...and it is increasingly difficult to find the words to help guide them. At first, it was about environmental issues (deregulation, lack of action on climate change, etc.). Now they fear for the loss of democracy and any meaningful career path for them.
I did this this week with Senator Markey, as I'm not a big phone caller. I sent a nice email (on the form on his website) thanking him for bringing up the 25th amendment and stating my support of that. And I have read that emailing is effective - that staffers do read these and use them to gauge where the constituency is. Thank you for reminding us and I will repost.
I too have a horror of picking up the phone and dialing a stranger, especially when my feelings are running so hot. But I take a moment before hitting “dial” on my Five Calls App (get it! It makes all of this so easy!), and making notes on what I want to say. Last week we Five Callers were urging our senators to turn down the appropriations bill for ICE and DHS. And look at that, they did! I know, I didn’t do that. OTOH, I felt part of it, which is important. About one out of five times an actual human picks up the phone, and I thank them for speaking with me, right off the bat. Then I tell them I’m a voter and constituent, and give my address, as the app instructs me. My longest phonecall has been about a minute; it takes much less time to just leave a message, which I always do. Not so hard, I’m finding out. These times make you find your voice quickly.
Thanks for mentioning Five Calls app Peter! I didn’t know about it until now.
Thank you!
off-topic, but that image of the thinker or… weeping buddha? fantastic sculpture.
I think it’s a “green man.”
Good advice. I have been shocked by the silence from most of our elected officials, so we all need to do our civic duty to let them know our concerns about this moment in history.
Exactly. I’ve been shocked too.
It is as if the country is walking into civil war and our "leaders" are turning a blind eye. It all feels so terrifying.
I work with college students and they are so afraid for their futures...and it is increasingly difficult to find the words to help guide them. At first, it was about environmental issues (deregulation, lack of action on climate change, etc.). Now they fear for the loss of democracy and any meaningful career path for them.
I did this this week with Senator Markey, as I'm not a big phone caller. I sent a nice email (on the form on his website) thanking him for bringing up the 25th amendment and stating my support of that. And I have read that emailing is effective - that staffers do read these and use them to gauge where the constituency is. Thank you for reminding us and I will repost.
Excellent!
Sorry...I can't hold my tongue. It's the Italian in me...
Thanks for the template Maria. Every little bit helps!!
Thanks - Maria!!! That’s great advice!!! We all need to speak up and have our voices heard.
Wisdom.
✔️
A+!
Done! Thank you. I'd like to share this on my Substack, if it's ok with you.
Sure!!
Excellent advice on the letter. Thanks
Thank you and done
A+!
Ugh.