Steven BeschlossIf you think we can relax now because democracy survived the midterms, then you’re not paying attention.
Steve In Ashland@StevenBeschloss we need to think of maintaining democracy like any other regular task. There are daily/weekly requirements, like staying informed, and annual/biannual requirements like voting. “Eternal vigilance” and all that.
TC Won't Give In To Lies@steveinashland @StevenBeschloss strongly agree.
But you forgot one of the most important. Contact your representatives regularly - about everything. Let them know you’re watching.
If they only hear from you when you vote, they’re never listening to you.
@TCatInReality @StevenBeschloss agreed! that’s one of those regular tasks, not as often as daily or even monthly, but a few times a year. “Take as needed”
@steveinashland @StevenBeschloss
For me, I write or call every 2-4 weeks for my main representatives. It’s also extra powerful to write to your local paper.
For me, I write or call every 2-4 weeks for my main representatives. It’s also extra powerful to write to your local paper.
@TCatInReality @StevenBeschloss I would feel pushy with that rep rate, to the point where the staff might think “oh THAT guy again”. But that may be a generational bias and not reality.
@steveinashland @StevenBeschloss why? You don’t think their major donors talk to them that often?
Major donors probably have someone on their staff!
Be “that guy”, bc then they’ll think you’re talking to other voters too
@TCatInReality @StevenBeschloss do the math.
An average Congressional district has 400k adult constituents. At one one-minute engagement per constituent per month, that’s 333 man-hours per day of staff time. If you were successful and got 10% of constituents to engage this way, you’d need about 6 staffers per office to do nothing but. That’s a huge drain on resources.
@TCatInReality @StevenBeschloss
I’m fine with calling when it’s crunch time, and letting them know about major issues, and if there’s a particular issue I’m worried about I’ll call. I’ve done that with sidewalks at a local level and SCOTUS appointments at a higher level. But I’m not going to urge voters to be calling their legislators just to be someone who calls regularly. That’s not engagement, it’s just pestering.
@steveinashland @StevenBeschloss
If you can’t think of something your government is doing that impacts your life every 2 weeks or so, then don’t call. That would be pestering.
I have no trouble.
@TCatInReality @StevenBeschloss I can think of things government at various levels is doing that impacts me and mine daily.
That’s not a reason to be calling every time.
Choose your moments.