Write A Letter to the Editor

Tip #1: The best letters respond to an article that appeared in the paper recently.

Tip #2: Letter should generally be less than 200 words, though you should check your own paper's guidelines

Tip #3: After you submit your letter, call the paper to follow up, and find out if they're printing it

Obviously, your letter can be about whatever you like, but if you're talking about a representative's bad vote on an bill, you can do some financial research of that representatvie at www.opensecrets.org

Good luck, and let us know if you get something printed - we'd love to see it!

Here is a sample we use in our field offices:

SAMPLE #1

Dear Editor

We all know that America is addicted to oil. This addiction plagues our health, our environment and our security. Given that two thirds of our oil comes from foreign nations leaves us open to the whims of potentially hostile foreign governments, and the combustion of oil in our vehicle chokes our skies with smog and contributes greatly to global warming.

It's not enough to get off of foreign oil - we need to get off of oil altogether. If we are to successfully accomplish this, we need better funding for public transportation, strong conservation measures, higher fuel efficiency standards, and more funding for alternative energy sources. Opening up Virginia and more of Alaska to oil drilling will not solve the problem.

These are common sense solutions, and are well within our grasp - I only hope our elected officials have the wisdom to enact them.

Sincerely,