Duane Bindschadler

Let me tell you a secret about how you, as one, individual person, can have an impact on your Republican Senator or Representative. 1️⃣ You’re going to call, email and write to that person at their national and district office. You’re going use your own words. No more than one page. Include your name and address (showing you live in their state or district). 2️⃣ You’re going to find the district office nearest to you and visit it in person. You’re going to ask to speak to someone—frankly, it doesn’t matter who. The district workers actually live here, in the community with you. They may send their kid to the same school. They may shop at the same Wal-Mart or visit the same Christmas Tree farm. You’re going to be polite and civil. Introduce yourself and ask to speak with someone about a concern. If they ask what it is, tell them. If they say there’s no one you can see, ask to talk to them. Get their name. Most people will look dumbfounded but say yes. Then, before diving in, ask where they are from. Build rapport, find a quick commonality. And then, in just 1-2 sentences explain your feelings on the issue. Then spend 1-2 sentences making the issue local. It doesn’t hurt to fake compliment either. So for example: “I’m concerned about the tariffs that might happen. Joshua Hawley says he cares about workers. But my uncle works at the plant and he’s not getting the planned bonus this year because they’re preparing for cost increases.” Then, you wait. Resist the urge to speak again. Wait. Force that person to say something. Look at them kindly. Wait for them to say something. Doesn’t really matter what they say. At the end ask if you can leave your note that explains the problem (the note should mirror what you said). And leave. 3️⃣ About two weeks later, call the local office. Ask to speak with that same person. And politely ask what your Senator or Representative plans to do about the concern you raised. What’s the impact? Well, first of all, offices log and record all communications that come in. I worked in an office where we kept track, numerically, of how many concerns came in about which issue. The issues with the most complaints were talked about first in our constituent services meetings. At the local office, these folks are not career beltway politicos hoping for proximity to power. They are more apt to still see you as a person and not a Democrat. And they will be more likely to vocalize the concern in a human way. The effect, when many individuals do this work, is a gradual softening on the issue by the staff which reaches their boss. For folks in more purple districts, this can have great effect. In more red districts where the person is of a more old school or traditionalist style it can still help. Regardless of outcome, it’s still important to do because the offices need to be aware of the very vocal opposition to damaging policies. If we go silent, they will believe there’s widespread support where none exists. We must use our voice and the tools available while we still have them. 😎 P.S. All of this is even more impactful at the state and local level.