Taking Back Our Country

The Tea Party movement is spreading its message across the country by visiting cities and holding rallies, and garnering quite a bit of media attention.  From all the news reports you would think it was a very large movement, but in reality, it's not.  Just a very vocal one.  It can, however, do quite a bit of damage if left unchecked.


To that end, it is important to counter their rhetoric, particularly to our elected officials.  This is the time to write to your Senator and Congressman and tell them what you want to see from your government.  If you believe health care reform is a good thing, tell them.  If you think student loans need to be modified, let them know that.  If you believe the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq need to be ended, be sure they understand you.


You can find your Senators by going to http://www.senate.gov and clicking the link on the upper right that says "find my senators."  To find your representative, go to http://www.house.gov and on the upper left enter your zip code.  If your zip code has more than one representative, you will need to know your four digit extension.  If you don't know it, go to the United State Postal Service website at http://www.usps.com and click on "Find a Zip Code."  Enter your address and city and you will get back your zip with extension.  Then enter that on the House site to find your representative.


Letters and telephone calls are the best ways to reach your elected officials, followed by faxes and emails.  You can also write to representatives outside of your area, but they generally will not respond to you.  It is, however, a very good way of letting them know your feelings.  So, for example, when I write to Barbara Boxer (one of my Senators) and tell her how pleased I am that the government has finally modified health care in this country, I make sure I copy Mitch McConnell on that message so he'll stop lying to the American people about how many of us don't want such reform.  


If we all get involved, the system works.