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You really wanna join Jane in the latest Citizen Whip Action on Healthcare, but you find yourself staring at the phone with acid running through your stomach – you know this is vitally important and you know they work for you but it is difficult to press that first number
That first one can be difficult – kinda like a cold call and you’re not the saleswoman type :D
S’okay
I was once intimidated and one of the firedogs posted a sample script for the more nervous among us to follow – and damn if it didn’t help a whole bunch – by the third call I was God’s Own Activist
So here are some suggestions :
Start with a likely Supporter eg, Kucinich or Woolsey
Calling a HR 676 Co Sponsor and HCAN Signer
You: Good Morning/Afternoon. I’m calling to thank Congresswoman/man ____ for their co-sponsorship and support of Congressman Conyers HR676. And, for the Congresswoman/man’s signing on with HCAN
I am calling today to urge Congresswoman/man ______ to commit to not voting for any bill or conference report that does not have a robust public plan that is:
available nationwide
available on day one
and accountable to Congress and the voters
Can you tell me where the Congresswoman/man stands on this ???
Congressional Office: The Congresswoman/man supports
You: Thankee, we have her/his back on this vital issue and will be watching the Vote(s) very closely
— or —
Congressional Office: The Congresswoman/man hasn’t decided
You: Do you have any indication as to when the Congresswoman/man will have a decision on this vitally important issue ?
Congressional Office: No (or some other non committal response)
You: .Again, I urge the Congresswoman/man to support a robust plan pledging to vote against any bill or any Conference Report that is not available nationwide on day one, and accountable to Congress and the voters. Our family will be watching this vote(s) very closely. Thank you.
Calling a Non Sponsor and/or Non HCAN Signer
You: Good Morning/Afternoon. Our Family is closely watching the current Healthcare Debate in the House. I’m calling to find out if the Congresswoman/Man has a position/decision on a Public Plan
Congressional Office: The Congresswoman/man supports a Public Plan
You: We think it is important the Congresswoman/man votes against any Bill or any Conference Report that is not available nationwide on day one, and accountable to Congress and the voters.
Does the Congresswoman/man support this ?
Congressional Office: Yes
You: Thank the Congresswoman/man for their support. We will be watching the Vote closely
— or —-
Congressional Office: Congresswoman/man has yet to take a position
You: 76% of Americans favor a public option. We urge the Congresswoman/man to support a robust plan pledging to vote against any bill or any Conference Report that is not available nationwide on day one, and accountable to Congress and the voters. Our family will be watching this vote(s) very closely. Thank you.
Note: you may or may not be asked for Name, phone # and or zip code when they answer the phone. No big deal. If for some reason, you are given grief about not being "a constituent" remind the staffer that this is an issue affecting all americans and the congresscritter’s vote is vital to doing the right thing
These are only suggestions – use them if they help, discard them if they don’t
. . . think of wiping the smirk off Rick Scott’s face
. . . putting the fear of Dog in Blanche Lincoln
. . . ruining Max Baucus’s Summer Camp for Millionaire Lobbyists
Helpful Hints – AFL-CIO (scroll down for script)
Big Orange diary w/ lots of good stuff in the comments
. . . and if nothing else, exhale and start dialing
I hope others will join in and add suggestions in the comments
Don’t Forget to Report Back on what you’ve heard !
15 Comments
for some of us that 1st call is the toughest. hard to believe ol Chatty Cathy cbl was once intimidated by the prospect of calling a critter
crikey!
left out some really good motivation
cbl this is great! Thanks so much. I often forget the name/number of the bill, even if I know its general content and such.
Also remember: These people are your employees.
You pay their salary, the staffers’ salaries, you pay for their gosh darn health care.
Really helpful cbl2.
I’m finding this one tougher, because it requires me to go into more detail.
have you seen the latest Jane video ???
she distills ‘the details’ quite nicely
Rule of thumb. Assume they are more nervous than you are. Ibetcha they are, by now. But we still have to ride herd on the stragglers. Harder than cats. sigh
Thank you much cbl2. I’m gonna bookmark this. Maybe I’ll eventually grow out of being such a nervous nelly, with your tender guiding hand. ;->
You can do it!
as suggested, start with a ‘friendly’ like Kuchinich, Woolsey, or even Conyers –
your comments reflect a fabulous feet on the ground, common sense approach
and frankly, I suspect once you start, you wont stop until you’ve had your say with quite a few
c’mon . . . one ringy dingy
*G*
You’re good. You’re very very good. Thank you!
Thanks Cbl!
no, thank you Scooter Boy. maybe we can get together later and deuce ‘em up on some calls . . .
Should we remind them that we pay for their and their families’ healthcare and that we think we deserve the chance to obtain equal quality care? And that we think only a public option will provide the opportunity?
as ‘civilly’ as once can, hell yes !
all apologies to Charlie Chaplin -
Dial
tho’
your back is aching,
Dial
Even though it’s breaking,
When there are rx bills in the sky- You’ll get by,
If you
Dial through your fear and sorrow,
Dial, and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the Yes come shining through . . . For you.
Light up their phones like Jane says
Make ‘em commit like Jane says,
That’s the time you must keep on trying,
Dial – What’s the use of crying,
You’ll find the Whip is still worthwhile,
If you just . . . Dial.
Great job on posting this.
Fanastic service, cbl2!!!
My first call a few weeks ago was a total diaster and I’d wished I had a cheat sheet. Yours is great.
Blessings,