Do you ever call, write or email your state legislators?

[mahina]

Poll question: Do you ever call, write or email your state legislators?

Just wondering if its futile to post notes here about stuff that matters to me that is before the leg. So...

[jpgray]

1. I called Mark Dayton to figure out his stance on the FMA

He had no official stance at the time, but since votes weren't there for the cloture, it didn't really matter.

[caligirl]

2. Every other week, I 'm not on a first name basis with the staff yet.

[sam sarrha]

3. I told them not to send me their propaganda form letter, that i knew who

the corporate whores were. and since my job was outsourced i could dedicate ALL my extra time campaining against them..

[Coastie for Truth]

4. When I first got active in politics

I was a one evening/week volunteer in my Assemblyman's District Office (55,000 people/District). When we moved to another state, I worked in my Assemblyman's campaigns, got to know him and his wife, and my wife really hit it off with his wife's family. (70,000 people/District).

Here in California, forget it (350,000 people/assembly district). But I do know my city council person and my county supervisor -- and the local FD Battalion Chief - (our amateur radio club has a "Fire Station Net" once a month).

One observation - the smaller the District the easier it is to know your rep -- and have some input. I like lots of small Districts.

[Godai Kyoko]

5. I used to write more often

What seems to work best is when they do something you like, you tell them about it. They get very few of those letters, but those are the ones that they really pay attention to. It is easy in human nature to complain, but to praise is rare. Few people pay attention to whinyness anymore, but praise always gets results.

Even if the congresscritter is a Republican, find once instance where he isn't a total prick, and thank him for it. You will make yourself pleasantly memorable, and when you do need to ask a favor, you might get more mileage.

[mahina]

6. I completely agree, except for the R part...and pertains to media too,

I've seen it work~ thanks for the reminder!

[KamaAina]

7. Now and again I run into them in the elevator at the Capitol

My work involves advocating for programs that serve people with disabilities. In addition to hearings and the like, there are often meetings scheduled in the Capitol conference rooms.

A couple of times I have seen Mike Kahikina (D-Nanakuli) in the elevator. Either he is a true man of the people, or he is unaware that there are private legislators-only elevators :-)

A number of other legislators, particularly those on the various Health and Human Services committees (Dennis Arakaki, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Roz Baker), know me by sight. I have even given testimony, twice this session.

The downside is that this complicates my efforts to lobby, er, um, advocate on behalf of non-disability-related bills such as Clean Elections. Before next session I will attempt to clarify this "separation of powers doctrine".

[Activian]

8. I never have even heard of them.

I haven't gotten the chance to research any of the local political think-tank juggernauts, nor their platforms.

In the past, it's been my experience that it's better to get them to come to you. They seem to listen to you more intently, when you have something they want.

At least, it's worked for me in Rhode Island, where I am from originally. I figure it'll take me a few months. But, I expect a meeting by November.

If I can't find a better issue to bring up, I swear it'll be the cost of cigarettes in this state. Holy shit, you people. If the 20% of the population of Hawaii smokes, and 90% of that is low-income men; then why are we exploiting addiction?

I don't know how the crack problem is in Hawaii, but raising the cost of crack isn't going to make less crack addicts. It'll make the crack addicts poorer.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi Activian!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Activian]

10. Thanks, NewYahker

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I hope to be as active in this board, as I am in real life.

My name is Ian, mind you. Hence the name.

I've come to Hawaii to get away from a bad situation, and start a new good one.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. 8)

[newyawker99]

17. Good luck to you and I hope you find a

better situation. :hi:

[newyawker99]

16. You're welcome!

:hi:

[mahina]

11. Aloha, welcome

FYI the legislature failed to raise taxes on cigs this year. Maybe it has something to do with the donations the tobacco companies give, opensecrets.org shows money POURING in from them.

[Activian]

13. Woah, woah, woah... Slow your roll there, mahina.

First off, thanks for the links. I mean, mahalo. I'll get this lingo down, eventually. They got me to where I was interested in going, regardless.

Are you saying the lowering of cigarette prices is a Republican issue? And the cigarette companies are paying money to keep their prices low? What kind of sorcery is this? In my precious little Island, some 6500 miles away (Rhode Island), Democrats were taking cigarette taxes to fund education on why it's disgusting and atrocious to smoke. (As ineffective on me as it might seem, I was strongly with it.) But they kept the prices of cigarettes low, so that the lower income smokers wouldn't be inhibited to put food on the table for the cost of their legal addiction. Furthermore, recognizing the fact that big tobacco wasn't losing money on lawsuits because the price of cigarettes had been covering for their losses.

I realize I am a simple man. Politics is a hobby for me. I just like being involved with change, even though I have no aspirations to take any credit, nor blame. But always I have been an oddity. Affluent, self-made, white democrat, age 18-34. I'm everybodys asshole.

Regardless, I have always been for issues, never a party. These issues just seemed to come up Democrat all the time. But I'm surprised to hear that the same side of an issue is different in different parts of the world. I'm more surprised I was so naive, if anything.

Well, you people seem nice enough. Perhaps, I'll just drink the Kool-Aid.

[mahina]

14. All I'm saying is we didn't raise the cig tax and the tobacco companies

donated heavily to legislators. I don't see it as a party issue, other than that the Democratic party supported the Voter Owned Elections bill (formerly Clean Elections Hawaii) and the Republican party didn't.
I've been to RI, wanted to go to RISD, boyfriend from high school went to Brown, wish I could send my kid there. I am as blue as blue gets, but have voted for Cynthia Theilen (R) because she is smart, competent and great for the environment and energy, and doesn't march in lockstep to her party.
See you around brah.

[mahina]

12. Here you go!

http://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/


http://www.oahudemocrats.org/

[mahina]

15. As far as local think-tank juggernauts, no need to look too far.

They don't exist, except for Jesus, Inc. and the megachurches. On the left? Nothing.
Yet.