Erin Kissane

One more #uspol: If you're in the US, calling your reps is a fantastic way to waste your enemies' time, nudge semi-allies into action, and thank your fighters. Staffers swear it matters.

5 Calls has issue backgrounders, rep-finders, and (scroll down on an issue page) call scripts for calling your reps:

https://5calls.org

Call scripts are great starters and you can always loosen up later. ONE issue per call, 1-3 calls for action.

5 Calls

Spend 5 minutes. Make 5 calls. Make your voice heard.

5 Calls
Feb 4, 2025 at 1:06amWeb
Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025

I also think this PDF from the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network is a great resource for anyone, neurodivergent or otherwise, who feels shaky about doing political calling:

https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/fact-sheet-how-to-call-your-elected-officials.pdf

(I am hashtagging so people who don't want to see any of this can hashtag mute, btw.)

#uspol

Show threadstarfrostFeb 4, 2025
@kissane So people can contact some moron who will sell them out anyway?
Show threadNick EscobarFeb 4, 2025

@starfrost @kissane this is a stupid, irresponsible perspective. It’s a short walk from this to “why even vote? It’s not like it matters.” Your representatives are there to speak for you — tell them what you want them to say. Otherwise you’re resigning yourself to the idea that you have no power and there is nothing you can do — which is wrong!

You have a voice, use it.

Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025
@nickesc @starfrost I don’t think going around in the usual circles is going to strengthen shared understanding. Muting thread.
Show threadB HaasFeb 4, 2025
@kissane Thank you!
Show threadJeri DanskyFeb 4, 2025
@kissane I used 5 Calls in the past but had forgotten about them. Thanks for the reminder!
Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025
@jeridansky Absolutely! I had to shake a lot of rust off my various brain parts and bookmarks this month
Show threadWilliam Fry 🏳️‍🌈🔵🐸Feb 4, 2025
@kissane I made 8 calls tonight! THANK YOU!
Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025
@wkfry YES!!! THANK YOU!!
Show threadEric MatthesFeb 4, 2025
@kissane Is it better to call the local field office, or the DC office? Does it matter?
Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025
@ehmatthes What I've been told is "Both if you can, otherwise pick either"
Show threadShafik YaghmourFeb 4, 2025

@kissane

Apologies, I don't get this part:

"calling your reps is a fantastic way to waste your enemies' time"

Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025
@shafik A lot of us are represented by far-right grifters and zealots who hate us and would be delighted to destroy our families, so in those cases, taking up staffer time and phone lines is adversarial.
Show threadShafik YaghmourFeb 4, 2025

@kissane Make sense, thank you!

Does it ever make sense to call reps in other states?

Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025
@shafik Alas, not really, but calling the ones in your own state every day is a good grind if you have the energy.
Show threadAndyWFeb 5, 2025

@kissane @shafik It’s easy for the staff/rep to ignore you when you are adversarial. Appeal to their humanity. You catch more flies with honey:

“I know you care about families and kids. Well this is what I see happening to kids in our community…”

Show threadferricoxideFeb 6, 2025
@kissane @shafik
Or, if you're represented by collaborators like Fetterman.
Show threadErin JonaitisFeb 4, 2025
@kissane I’d love to do this, but as a public employee who works from home it’s not clear to me how I can do this during business hours, within the law. Is there value in leaving a message outside of usual business hours? Does that take more human time than a letter, or does it just get churned through some AI and treated like a letter or postcard?
Show threadErin KissaneFeb 4, 2025
@emjonaitis I don’t know the answer to this, beyond having been told that calling during business hours is best.