Options for Affecting Public Policy

An article by CRF Staff.

People in the United States have many options for making their opinions heard on issues facing the country and their communities. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of free speech, free press, petition, and assembly. These rights assure that political parties, interest groups, and individuals can influence the making of laws and governmental policies. The First Amendment allows peaceful methods for influencing elected representatives.  

Choosing the best way to influence the political process can be a challenge. Questions arise about what method would be the most effective. What benefits does a particular approach offer? What are its potential costs? Political experts and everyday people often debate these questions. Not everybody agrees. 

One approach to affecting public policy and opinion is by demonstrating. A demonstration can include marching, picketing, and walkouts by large numbers of people. Demonstrations have certain benefits. They can capture the attention of the news media and draw attention to the issue or cause. If large numbers of people are involved, demonstrations can show that many people have strong feelings about the issue. If demonstrations disrupt normal business, they can put pressure on officials. 

Demonstrations can also have a downside. If they disrupt peoples' lives, they can cause resentment and alienate those who might be supportive. If they become violent, they can sway public opinion against the marchers. Because demonstrations can get so much media attention, they can solidify opposition.  

The recent nationwide student school walkout demonstrations against proposed changes to federal immigration law serve as an example. Supporters argued that that the demonstrations drew media coverage and focused greater public attention to the issues involved and showed that many students were strongly opposed to more restrictive immigration laws. They argued that the demonstrations showed that the young people involved were committed to their cause and exercising the rights of free expression and assembly non-violently. 

Critics of the demonstration argued that the walkouts were illegal and disrupted schools and the education of the youths involved. They also pointed out that some of the schools affected could lose funding because students were not in school and those students could face discipline for walking out. Some also criticized the behaviors of some the demonstrators claiming that unruly behavior and waving Mexican national flags could actually hurt the cause supported by the students. 

In addition to demonstrations, there are many other methods for affecting policy.  
As you review each of the following approaches consider its benefits and costs. For each, discuss the following questions.

• What is the purpose of this approach?
• What are some of its potential benefits? What are some of its potential costs?
• Under what circumstances, would this approach be appropriate and get the best results?

Letters to the Editor 
Almost every daily newspaper publishes letters to the editor. Many people read them. With a single letter, you can draw widespread attention to your concerns and perhaps get more support. If your letter is published, show it to other people. Photocopy it and include it with handouts, fliers, news releases, etc.

• Follow the paper's instructions. You can find them in the letters' section, near the editorials. They will tell you where to send the letter and other requirements.
• Type and double-space the letter.
• Include your name, address, and daytime phone number. Many papers contact the sender before publishing the letter.
• Use "To the Editor" as the salutation.
• Keep it less than one page. Long letters are seldom printed. Editors shorten longer letters.
• Focus on one issue only.
• Get to the point. Say why you're writing. State your opinion and the reasons that support it. If you have a solution, include it as a suggestion.
• Make it stand out. Your letter will have a greater chance of being published. What makes a letter stand out? It might be interesting, have a good argument, use language well, be funny, etc. Include your age if this will help your letter stand out.

Letters to Officials 
Most people in power keep close track of letters written by the public. It's one of the ways they gauge public opinion. Although a U.S. senator, a CEO, or the head of a non-profit may not personally read your letter, he or she has assistants who read letters and tally opinions. Your letter will be read, and it probably will be answered.

• Tell who you are. Give your name, address, and who you are. The people who read your letter want to know who you are, why you care, and how to reach you.
• Focus on one issue. Don't try to fight crime, air pollution, and unemployment all in one letter.
• Keep it short and simple. State your ideas in the first paragraph. Get your idea across in a page or less. People who read a lot of letters don't have much time.
• Be polite. You can disagree, but never threaten or insult in a letter. Let your ideas do the talking.
• Include supporting material. If you have any newspaper articles, letters to the editor, or other written material supporting your position, include it.

Letter-Writing Campaigns 
If politicians and corporations pay attention to one letter, think of what many letters can do.

• Get permission to set up a card table in the mall and ask passersby to write letters. Hang a poster telling what you're doing. You can hand out leaflets, talk to people, and get those interested to write a short letter right there. Provide clipboards to write on. You can have several people writing letters at one time.
• Plan your target. Who should receive the letters? All the members of the city council? The members sitting on a particular committee? Just one member? Decide.
• Prepare a leaflet. Explain the problem. Give the address of the person to write to. Include all the information a person would need to write and mail the letter.
• Don't send form letters. A handwritten letter shows that a person really cares. Some groups organizing letter-writing campaigns at malls often use a variety of pens and paper and envelopes. That way all the letters look different.
• Get people's names, addresses, and phone numbers. People who write letters care about your problem. They are potential supporters.
• Ask for small contributions for stationery and postage.

Petitioning 
A petition is like a letter with a thousand signatures. It's easier to get people to sign a petition than write a letter. Officials know this—that's why they pay more attention to a letter-writing campaign. But a petition will help spread the word about your cause and your organization.

• Give your petition a clear, simple title. Tell what you want.
• Address the petition to an individual or group who can help you with your problem.
• Write your petition like a short letter. Briefly describe the problem, your plan, and your reasons.
• Provide numbered spaces for people to write their signature, address, and telephone number. The numbers will help you count the signatures you have collected.
• Include your group's name on the petition.
• Make every page a separate petition. That way more than one person can gather signatures. Also it makes it clear that people knew what they were signing.
• Get permission to set up a table at school or at the local mall.
• Be able to tell people about the problem and your strategy in clear, simple language. People will want to know more before they sign.
• Let people make up their own minds. Deliver your message and let your ideas speak for themselves.
• Get your friends to sign first. People will feel better if a lot of other people have already signed your petition.
• Set a deadline. Energy for the drive will last a short time. Make the drive short. You can then claim, "In only a week, we collected 500 signatures."
• Make copies of the petition before you deliver it. You may want to contact the people who signed it.
• Do something special to deliver the petition. Present it at a public meeting or invite the media.

E-Mail and Telephone Campaigns 
Politicians keep track of e-mails and telephone calls as carefully as they do letters. A flood of phone calls or e-mails can get a politician's attention as quickly as a stack of mail. And it's easier for most people to call or e-mail than to write a letter.

• Target the swing votes. Unless your supporters will call everyone, it's best to call those lawmakers who have not made up their minds.
• Prepare a brief message. For example, "I hope you are supporting the proposed new park. It's very important for everyone in the city."
• Prepare a leaflet telling supporters who and how to call or e-mail. It should tell people: (1) The name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of the official (2) The message to deliver.

Lobbying 
You can work to persuade politicians to pass or oppose laws.

• Know your subject. Politicians hear opinions from all sides on an issue. If you only know a little, you won't get far.
• Learn the rules. What does it take to get a bill voted on? Ask an assistant how the legislative process works.
• Find allies. What organizations have the same interests as you? Convince them that you can help each other by lobbying together. Find other politicians who will support your cause.
• Know the opposition. Learn their arguments. You'll have to overcome them.
• Don't burn your bridges. The saying, "Politics makes strange bedfellows," means that you might sometime need the support of someone you on occasion may consider an opponent. Don't ever take part in personal attacks. Stick to the issues.

Meeting With a Lawmaker

• Make an appointment. You cannot expect to see a politician without an appointment. Even with one, the politician may have to leave early to vote. You may end up meeting with an assistant.
• Prepare points to go over. Have a short list of items to talk about. You may even give the list to the politician. Prepare your presentation.
• Give the politician charts, leaflets, and printed information on the subject. Give out anything that helps make your case.
• Stay on task. You might find the conversation drifting onto other subjects. Politely try to guide it back on course.
• Dress appropriately.
• Finish your conversation by asking for a commitment. "Can we count on your support?"
• Express thanks and send a thank-you note. No matter how it goes, thank the lawmaker for his or her time.

Testifying 
Committees, commissions, and special panels hold hearings. You can express your opinion and show that it has community support.

• Find out the place, date, and time of the hearing. Ask the sponsor or your representative for this information.
• Be on time. Some public hearings take testimony in the order of those signing in.
• Fill the room with supporters. Have them bring posters, if they are allowed. But make sure your supporters do not antagonize the committee.

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