CONTACTING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL
In these extraordinary and perilous times, we need to be heard in the halls of power. And it is mentally healthy for us to fight back with the power of the pen, rather than just sit back and complain. “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
These suggestions come from a seminar hosted by the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP). The presenter used to work for U. S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI). I have also included tips from the ACLU and ABA (American Bar Association), both of which lobby elected officials.
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Writing, calling, or seeing the official or their staffer in person all “count.” Your position will be included in a “tally” composed by the official’s staff.
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A voice mail also counts and will be tallied. An email counts as much as a letter.
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In all your contacts, leave your name, street address, and zip code with your message. Then the official knows you live in their district.
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Before you call, prepare a concise script; don’t just wing it. Get your facts right. In all communications, start with a subject line, or “I am calling about . . .” If you are addressing a pending bill, identify it by bill number, e.g., H.B. 1234.
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When you prepare your message, limit it to one or two issues or “asks.” For example, “I urge you to protect Medicaid and the SNAP program [food stamps] from cuts. Both programs provide vital support to the lives and health of 1.1 million South Carolinians who live in poverty. Because the U.S. government pays about 75% of the cost, Medicaid is a cost-effective and prudent investment for our brothers and sisters. If poor people lose their Medicaid benefits, many of them will wind up visiting hospital emergency rooms, where treatment is more expensive.” Finish your message with what you are asking, i.e., “please support/oppose this bill.”
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Thank them for their time and consideration.
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Resources: <Congress.gov> to track bills as they progress through committees, who sponsored the bill, roll call votes, etc.
Bill Richards
(248) 892-4149
Peace Negotiations with Russia
I am calling you to express my alarm at the negotiating strategy the President is using in talks with Russia about peace with Ukraine. Of course, we all want peace between Ukraine and Russia. But how can we achieve a just and lasting peace when the President starts with a false premise?
The President stated that Ukraine “started” the war with Russia. That is false. On February 24, 2022, Russia’s army crossed the border into Ukraine. To justify his invasion, President Putin falsely stated it was necessary to protect Russian-speaking civilians. Not only did Russia start the war, but Russia has violated numerous rules of war by attacking and destroying hospitals, schools, the Ukrainian power grid, and other off-limits civilian targets.
I urge you to speak out (as Senator Wicker (R-MS) has done) and set the record straight. I urge you to counsel the President that our goal in peace negotiations should be to restore pre-war boundaries, and to return all Ukrainian POWs and kidnapped Ukrainian children.
Thank you for your consideration.
s/ Bill Richards
18 Primrose Ln.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
The Constitutional Role of the President and Congress in Determining Expenditures
Each year, the Congress passes a budget. The budget then becomes law. The federal budget funds various programs and executive departments.
Under the Constitution, the President must “faithfully execute” the laws. Instead of faithfully executing the budget law, our current President is slashing federal programs like USAID, and firing employees at the FBI, Department of Education, and others. He has done so without authority from Congress, which funded those programs and departments. The Constitution gives to Congress, not the President, the power to set government spending and to make laws.
By picking and choosing which parts of the budget he likes, the President is violating the Constitution. His staff excuses this behavior, arguing that the President may “impound” (not spend) funds appropriated by Congress. But the 1974 Impoundment Control Act requires the President to spend the full amounts that Congress has appropriated. The administration argues that the Impoundment Act is unconstitutional. But no court has yet agreed with them, and they have not even sought a court ruling to validate their actions.
Of course, we could have a healthy debate about the size of government. Reasonable people can disagree on how large or small the Departments of Defense, Treasury, Interior, etc. should be. But the President does not want a debate, especially where it should happen, in Congress, where the peoples’ elected representatives serve.
I urge you to stop this assault on the Constitution, and restrain the Executive Branch from taking over powers that are reserved to the Congress.
Thank you for your consideration,
s/ Bill Richards
18 Primrose Lane
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926