Church Taxation and Pulpit Politics

Legislators

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

Here are a few convenient sites to help you identify and contact your United States Representative and Senators:

Congress.org

A free service from Capitol Advantage.

C-Span Legislative Action Center

Capitol Advantage service branded for C-Span.

Write Your Representative.

If you prefer to go directly to the source, the United States House of Representatives official web site.

US Senate Web Site.

Includes email addresses and websites.

State and Local Government on the Net.

Links to state and local government web sites.

Portal and Search Engine to US Federal, State, and Local Government.

Legislators and government officials receive a lot of opinions. It is important to communicate your opinion effectively.

TIPS ON CONTACTING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

  Using E-mail...
Most state and federal legislators now have e-mail addresses. (Some legislators prefer to use forms on their web sites.) E-mail is a convenient and fast way of contacting your elected representatives. It may not have the same impact, though, as a phone call or traditional \snail mail.\

You can use the \electronic letter\ provided in most American Atheist Legislative Action Alerts, edit the letter, or compose your own. The strategy for using e-mail, though, remains the same as with regular \snail\ mail. Check our resources page for links that will provide you with the name and address of your federal representative or senator.

• \KISS\ -- \Keep It Short and Simple.\ Present your opinion on the single legislative issue at hand, and try to be brief. Most e-mail is quickly scanned and tallied for the opinion it reflects.

• Identify, if possible, the specific title and bill number of the legislation you are writing about. Give your opinion in a brief, polite and concise way.

• Avoid name-calling or hostile statements, even if you know that the legislator in question does not agree with your position. Encourage the legislator to \hear all sides\ in the debate.

• Ask that the legislator respond to you with a reply. Thank him or her for taking the time to consider your position on the issue. Be sure to provide your name, and include your \snail mail\ address and phone number.

• Don't be afraid to identify yourself as an Atheist or non-religious person! You have just as much right to speak out openly and proudly as people of faith do. Every day, legislators in state capitals and in Washington, D.C. are hearing from Atheists about vouchers, charitable choice, forced prayer in school and other issues. Remember, your letter, phone call or e-mail is also helping to educate officials about the fact that millions of Americans have no religious belief. We encourage you to speak out openly!

• If you are a constituent living in the legislator's district, be sure to include this fact in your letter. Sometimes, you may wish to contact a committee head or other official who serves outside of your area. Be sure to explain how the issue affects you, and what your concerns are.

  Using \Snail-Mail\...
Even with the popularity of e-mail, writing a \real\ letter to your legislator or other public officials remains one of the most effective ways of communicating your opinion.

• \KISS\ -- \Keep It Short and Simple.\ Present your opinion on the single legislative issue at hand. It is usually best to be brief, but if you are writing as an expert in a particular area (constitutional law, education), identify yourself and present your information.

• Identify, if possible, the specific title and bill number of the legislation you are writing about. Try to present your opinion in a brief, polite and concise way.

• Avoid name-calling or hostile statements, even if you know that the legislator in question does not agree with your position. Encourage the legislator to \hear all sides\ in the debate.

• Ask that the legislator respond to you with a reply. Thank him or her for taking the time to consider your position on the issue. Be sure to provide your name, and include your \snail mail\ address and phone number.

• Don't be afraid to identify yourself as an Atheist or non-religious person! You have just as much right to speak out openly and proudly as people of faith do. Every day, legislators in state capitals and in Washington, D.C. are hearing from Atheists about vouchers, charitable choice, forced prayer in school and other issues. Remember, your letter, phone call or e-mail is also helping to educate officials about the fact that millions of Americans have no religious belief. We encourage you to speak out openly!

• If you are a constituent living in the legislator's district, be sure to include this fact in your letter. Sometimes, you may wish to contact a committee head or other official who serves outside of your area. Be sure to explain how the issue affects you, and what your concerns are.

  Using the Telephone...
You may have the opportunity to contact an elected official using the telephone. Generally, you will not be able to speak directly to your legislator; the call will be accepted by a staff person.

• Before you call, write out a list of the points you wish to make.

• Identify, if possible, the title and bill number of the legislation you are calling about.

• Identify yourself ... provide your name, address, and telephone number. If you discuss an issue with an aide, be sure to ask for a written reply.

• Be polite and brief. Even if the legislator you are contacting is known to disagree with your position, ask that he or she \consider other opinions\ on the issue. Thank the person you are talking to for taking the time to hear your opinion.