If you say this thing, you have no business saying the opposite

If polls influence politicians, then so do your letters and calls. Retweet

Our Downsizer-Dispatch is about Plans & Progress for the Downsize DC Army. Do you want Downsize DC to be effective? We intend to spend more time and energy explaining strategy — how to be more successful, politically. And we’ve found a way that many people are getting in their own way.

People say to us, “Politicians tailor their positions to fit the public opinion polls.” Well, anyone who believes that should never say the following… 

“There’s no point in writing to Congress. They ignore our messages.”

If the claim about polling is true (and we think it is), then the claim that messages to Congress have no value must be false. Think about it…

Why would politicians spend money on an opinion poll, but completely ignore a free source of the same information in the form of the messages their constituents send them? The fact is…

Congress doesn’t ignore your messages — they count the positions taken in all the letters and phone calls they receive. Over the years, Congressional staff has confirmed this to us. And it makes sense. They count your letters for the same reason that they buy opinion surveys. Members of Congress want to know what their constituents think. Of course…

This doesn’t mean they’ll do as you ask. After all, other people are writing Congress too, or calling them and meeting with them, and asking for the opposite of what you want. That means…

It’s a numbers game!

To win that game there must be more people asking for what you want. In a future message, we’ll explain why libertarians are currently at a numerical disadvantage when it comes to electoral politics, but have an unexploited advantage when it comes to pressuring Congress. Today, we want to focus on just one thing…

Your messages to Congress

Every message you send improves the Downsize DC score in the numbers game. Do you want to score more? Then send every message we recommend on every issue where you agree with our position. That’s the first essential step to take in order to get more of what you want. We’ll tell you about more steps in future messages.

Today’s action…

If you support OSTA (the One Subject at a Time Act) then you should be sending a message about it at least once per month. Twice per month would be even better. Send an OSTA letter now.

Please consider making a contribution or starting a monthly pledge to further our work

Thanks for being an ACTIVE DC Downsizer,

Perry Willis & Jim Babka
Downsize DC

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