Here's another free piece of strategic advice which is definitely worth what you paid for it. Stop yelling into the Bluesky void about how you don't like how your members of Congress are communicating (I mean, if you enjoy doing that, sure, but it's not effective). Instead do this one weird trick: - ThreadSky

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social • 34 days ago

Here's another free piece of strategic advice which is definitely worth what you paid for it. Stop yelling into the Bluesky void about how you don't like how your members of Congress are communicating (I mean, if you enjoy doing that, sure, but it's not effective). Instead do this one weird trick:

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miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

Is there a community group that organizes around the issue you care about and is active in your Congressional district or state? Join them & see whether you can go meet with your members' staff. Tell them why you are affected by the bad thing.

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

Here are some made-up potential examples:
- Outdoor recreation businesses, like camps, affected by National Parks hiring freeze
- Support group for cancer patients/families affected by NIH review shutdown
- High school students whose summer internships were canceled as side effect of DEI rollback

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

This is much, much more effective if you're a constituent. Members of Congress often have specific issues they are interested in that extend outside of their district/state, but mostly they are much more focused on the people they actually represent.

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

I haven't been following @indivisible.org that closely recent years but in the first Trump administration they provided very good advice on how to maximize your impact. Perhaps they can jump in if they have anything to add.

hydrocycler.bsky.social•34 days ago

Thanks for the reminder. Just retuned in.

abigailb.bsky.social•34 days ago

From my time as a staffer meetings are great, showing up at every single public even that your elected reps do, asking questions, holding signs, anything to get noticed, is even better. This is what undid the momentum for ACA repeal in 2017.

abigailb.bsky.social•34 days ago

By public event, I mean townhalls and q and as, but also literally every time they show up in public. If they are cutting a ribbon, if they are speaking at an award ceremony. There are studies showing that members over extrapolate public opinion. Crowds of 20-30 feel small, but it’s enough.

beebrookshire.bsky.social•34 days ago

Thank you for offering these! I think many of us have become poisoned by the hyper individual approach to solving problems, heightened by covid, and now we don't think about the GROUPS out there that are interested in what we're interested in!

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

Strategic, collective action!

padawanjon.bsky.social•30 days ago

Everyone should check if their state has open primaries for the Democratic Party. If they do, its a good idea to register with a minority party. You can vote in the Dem primary and vote Blue down the ballot anyway. Being on a different mailing list allows you to organize more locally.

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•30 days ago

That can vary so everyone should check the specific laws of their state/Territory.

thebaroness.bsky.social•34 days ago

Not so far-fetched.

lauriekins.bsky.social•31 days ago

How do you find these groups? Just, like, google? Or is there a better way?

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•31 days ago

It’s most effective when you’re already a part of the group, Eg people who are already members of a professional association or union or support group.

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•31 days ago

That said, you specifically might be interested in JUFJ! https://jufj.org/where-we-work/washington-dc/

zwirnm.bsky.social•34 days ago

Also more effective if you live in a place with voting senators and representatives…. <>

maniagnosis.bsky.social•34 days ago

Or have any kind of political opposition.

katycroffbell.bsky.social•34 days ago

but which snacking cake is most appropriate while doing this?

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•33 days ago

Whatever gives you maximum energy- perhaps a nice lemon olive oil cake?

katycroffbell.bsky.social•33 days ago

Mmmm good call

whysharksmatter.bsky.social•34 days ago

What if I’d rather feel good about how smart and pure I am, rather than actually do the hard work of trying to fix things?

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

thebaroness.bsky.social•34 days ago

I just call them. I don’t care if they’re my Congressperson or not.

jestingvixen.bsky.social•34 days ago

They don't know you didn't vote for them. They represent you now, whether or not you like it. Tell them what you think. It's their job l in theory) to care, so nag them about doing it.

And yes, say thank you to the ones who are doing a good, just job, even when they're not yours. It helps.

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

They do know, because they will ask for your address and zip code to check if you’re their constituent. It’s fine if you live in the district/state and didn’t vote for them - they do represent you in that case. But if you don’t live in their district/state, they will disregard.

bohn-meghan.bsky.social•34 days ago

Especially with things like confirmation hearings, where it *does* affect me, even if I'm not theirs. I also thank reps who aren't mine if I see them doing things like supporting same-sex marriage as Republicans (three Virginia reps I need to contact).

miriamgoldstein.bsky.social•34 days ago

It’s up to you! But in general I think it’s important for people to be aware that non-constituent calls/letters don’t get logged in the same way and therefore don’t usually influence the members’ actions and priorities.

bohn-meghan.bsky.social•34 days ago

Right. But I've got Duckworth and Durbin, so after thanking them, it feels like something I *can* do, in addition to seeing what established groups are doing. Thanks for the clarification. I figured as much.

thebaroness.bsky.social•34 days ago

I don’t care. I do it anyway. It’s my way of letting them know that what they do affects everybody.

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