Just because I use the wording of someone more eloquent than I who covers all the points I feel on an issue doesn't mean that communications should be treated with any less weight.
Yes, but you're only expressing an opinion here. I agree with you. But neither one of our opinions is going to change the reality of how things are. The reality is that astroturfing is not well respected by congressmen and, therefore, not as effective as a means of conveying our opinions.
On a more logical level, I'd point out all of the complaints that have been brought up by slashdotters about people receiving generic form letters crafted for specific issues from congressmen. We don't give their form letters weight, so why should they give weight to form letters we send?
In college, I've always been heavily involved with my second love: politics. And, as a result, I had the fortunate experience last semester to be intern in a Senate office.
Here are my tips. Trust me on these.
1) As it has been widely stated: Do not e-mail. The Senate e-mail system is a mess and offices are ill-equipped to reply to them in any sort of organized fashion. Take the time to put it on paper.
2) Know that your letter will doubtfully ever be on your senator or representative's desk. There are federally funded offices whose only purpose is to handle constituent correspondence. Expect a form letter. These people are swamped and cannot hope to take the time to write a personally crafted paper in direct response to every letter they receive. In addition, these people are speaking for the congressperson, so you're very likely to get mushy and uncommitted policy stances as the writers have no desire to get their bosses into hot water.
3) Strength in numbers. My strongest advice is this: get a group together and schedule a meeting. This is your best chance to actually get a hold of the congressman's ear for any amount of time. Find locals with similar interests, form an organization, and ask to schedule a meeting. Then, discuss with the congressman your situation in the simplest terms possible. Don't expect them the be well versed in technology issues; they won't be.
Finally, avoid "astroturf organizing." Strength in numbers does not mean form letters. Politicians (and staffers) are rarely swayed by simulated constituent groundswells obviously crafted for the sole purpose of putting on the appearance of heavy support for an issue. Staffers do read the letters and know when five hundred of them have the same wording. No form letter can compete with the legitimacy of a personally written letter.
Slashdot Mirror
Just because I use the wording of someone more eloquent than I who covers all the points I feel on an issue doesn't mean that communications should be treated with any less weight.
Yes, but you're only expressing an opinion here. I agree with you. But neither one of our opinions is going to change the reality of how things are. The reality is that astroturfing is not well respected by congressmen and, therefore, not as effective as a means of conveying our opinions.
On a more logical level, I'd point out all of the complaints that have been brought up by slashdotters about people receiving generic form letters crafted for specific issues from congressmen. We don't give their form letters weight, so why should they give weight to form letters we send?
Just a thought.
In college, I've always been heavily involved with my second love: politics. And, as a result, I had the fortunate experience last semester to be intern in a Senate office.
Here are my tips. Trust me on these.
1) As it has been widely stated: Do not e-mail. The Senate e-mail system is a mess and offices are ill-equipped to reply to them in any sort of organized fashion. Take the time to put it on paper.
2) Know that your letter will doubtfully ever be on your senator or representative's desk. There are federally funded offices whose only purpose is to handle constituent correspondence. Expect a form letter. These people are swamped and cannot hope to take the time to write a personally crafted paper in direct response to every letter they receive. In addition, these people are speaking for the congressperson, so you're very likely to get mushy and uncommitted policy stances as the writers have no desire to get their bosses into hot water.
3) Strength in numbers. My strongest advice is this: get a group together and schedule a meeting. This is your best chance to actually get a hold of the congressman's ear for any amount of time. Find locals with similar interests, form an organization, and ask to schedule a meeting. Then, discuss with the congressman your situation in the simplest terms possible. Don't expect them the be well versed in technology issues; they won't be.
Finally, avoid "astroturf organizing." Strength in numbers does not mean form letters. Politicians (and staffers) are rarely swayed by simulated constituent groundswells obviously crafted for the sole purpose of putting on the appearance of heavy support for an issue. Staffers do read the letters and know when five hundred of them have the same wording. No form letter can compete with the legitimacy of a personally written letter.
I hope this helps. Good luck.