GUIDE LINES for WRITERS To outline the policy of the Coalition in regard to written communications 1. WHY LETTERS? Some important reasons: a. For reaching longer distances at low cost--this applies es- b. For reaching large numbers of people--this applies especially C. Because many people write well but do not like to speak; writing takes less time, can be done under relaxed conditions, and allows for precise wording. 2. WHERE to send? Mostly to legislators; occasionally to editors; sometimes to friends. 3. WHEN to write? The RTL people say, write your Legislator once a month. We think this approaches a nuisance level and is counterproductive. So, write when occasion demands. Write when you have something to say, and multiply your letters by writing to different people, especially to key people. NOTE: The Coalition staff should keep you informed about the news so you will know when to write and who are the key people. 4. WHAT to say? This depends on the situation, as in the case of speakers. But always make sure at the start to indicate which side you are on: e.g. "This is in support of the Supreme Court decision on abortion rights." We have reports of cases where some clerk apparently glanced at our letter ans says, "Oh, that's about abortion," and throws it in the pile of Right-to-Life letters!" 5. HOW to say it? To a legislator, a letter is basically a vote. He counts the pro's and con's. But such "votes" are far more powerful than votes at the polls, partly because letters are few compared to election crowds and partly because a letter is a vote on a single issue. So a letter can be only one sentence. For example, "I urge you you to support the Supreme Court decision on abortion rights." But usually you will want to give some reasons for your position or to point out advantages, disadvantages, obscure side-effects, etc. This approaches the field of lobbying. Lobbying has acquired a bad reputation, but this is not necessarily deserved. Legislators do not have time to explore in depth the mass of bills they must vote on so they rely on the help of the lobbyist who is thoroughly familiar with his particular subject and can quickly explain the meaning, the purpose, and the effects of a bill. True, this may be biased information but at least it is an education, and, hopefully, other lobbyists will present the other side of the picture. So don't hesitate to do a little lobbying in your letter. But make your explanation clear and concise; preferably not more than one page whether typed or hand-written. Don't forget to sign your name and usually as a concerned citizen, not as a member of an organization. Legislators dislike "pressure groups." TO SUM UP: Write in your own words. Keep your letter clear and concise. Cover only one issue. Refer to bill by name and number, if you can. Be specific as to what you want the legislator to do.* Show your familiarity with the subject. (The bulk of such mail is from casual, uninformed people.) Give reasons for your position. In general, be helpful rather than threatening. Write to various people: key people, your own representatives; committee leaders and members; Congressional leaders; any legislator with State or National ambition. Send to the Capitol if they are in session; otherwise, to home ONE MORE COMMENT: We hope the WRITERS GROUP will not only write letters themselves but will also persuade others to write. The zealous RTL people have been sending about ten times as many letters as we have been sending, and naturally legislators are impressed. * But don't forget the "thank you" letters. That's the rare kind that are really welcome! SAMPLE LETTERS (Date) Dear Senator (or Congressman) I urge you to defend the Supreme Court's decision making abortion legal. The government should not interfere with a woman's decision whether or not to have an abortion. Please oppose all legislation which would overturn the Supreme Court ruling or interfere with it. The Supreme Court's ruling for abortion rights means a better quality of life for Americans. It gives women more opportunity to plan and control their lives. It lifts the burden of forced pregnancy and childbearing. It means every child can have the love and care that a wanted child receives. Please do all you can to support and defend the Court's decision for abortion rights. Don't let it be overturned. Don't let it be watered down. I urge you to stop all Constitutional Amendment bills like the ones listed above. Please don't let a vocal minority send women's health care back to the Dark Ages. Please support the abortion rights decision. Sincerely, This is to urge that your sub-committee should not report out any of the legislation that would overturn the Supreme Court decision on abortion rights. I refer to the Buckley Amendment, S.J. 119, and other proposed amendments having the same purpose. The propaganda of various pressure groups--Right-to-Life, Birthright, SOUL (Save Our Unborn Lives) etc., gives one the impression that these people think that they have all the answers to morality and that they are determined to force their ideas on the whole population. For my part, I think the Supreme Court had the right idea of morality, and I think so because their decision: 1. Permits abortion, but only at the early stage and gives 3. Helps reduce the awful toll of deformed children, un- These reasons alone would justify the defeat of these amendments. But there is another side--the legal side--with all the difficulties of enforcement, the invasion of privacy, and the incredible confusion of interpretation of laws that try to give not only a fetus, not only an embryo, but even a single cell the full rights of a human being! We tried to legislate morality-by-amendment once before when we wrote the Eighteenth into the Constitution. I hope we do not make the same mistake again. Best regards, John Doe 111 Blank St. Anytown, Ohio 44444 wwww.. GUIDE LINES FOR VISITORS To See your Member of Congress* If you can make a visit to Washington, D. C., this can be an effective way of lobbying. However you need to know something about the procedure before you start. they THE WASHINGTON OFFICE. Each Member of Congress has from 10 to 60 staff assistants. These people can be as important as the Member himself; Aspecially the top Legislative Assistant, or the Assistant that is following a particular issue. So generally these are the people you will see: are the ones who have time to meet with casual visitors. And if you insist on seeing the Senator or Representative in person you may harm your own cause, for he may resent your pressure and he will turn your problem back to an assistant anyway. PREPARATION. You must of course make an appointment by calling or writing about your problem. But first you should have done your "homework" --and if you are not familar with your subject, you should obtain more information. You can get documents (bills, resolutions, or committee reports) by writing to: where you can obtain, free of charge, copies of all bills, resolutions and committee reports. Another free source of information is the G.A.0.: General Accounting Office Washington, D.C. 20548 where a staff of some 50 professional people have reports on a wide variety of national issues. Sometimes the Library of Congress--10 First St. S.E.--can be useful to answer specific questions, make up reading lists, etc. Or you can request help from your Member of Congress to get information from the Library. His staff can also contact the Congressional Reference Service (CRS) on important issues, to prepare reports, do research, etc. Again, you can ask his staff to arrange contact for you with any agency of the Federal Government that deals with your problem. The bureaucratic maze can be vastly simplified if your Representative or Senator's office makes an appointment for you. *"M.C." is meant to include both Senators and Representatives. |