It really isn't too difficult to contact your US Representative. Check for his or her website, and you can also open the blue pages and find the local office address.

What Smash did right was going in looking like he was a grown-up, having the information at his fingertips, speaking rationally and politely. The presentation of the message is almost as important as the message itself.

The exception being The People's Republic of Taxachusetts, where all you get is a lecture on how terribly wrong and stupid you are if you don't toe 'the line' as issued from on high by the congresscritter.

MommaBear,

Smash sidestepped that too, by providing the irresistable opportunity to bash bad businesses, support our troops and do it with almost no cost. It's a Democrat's dream, but a Republican's responsability.

Yours,
Wince

Most politicians would like nothing more than to chat with citizens about issues of interest to them. The real question is whether they actually do anything about it. I had a long conversation with my city council member about a year ago about slumlords, and she and several members of her staff seemed just as excited as Lt. Smash's congresswoman about the possibility of making it easier for tenants to pay for necessary repairs themselves and deduct the cost from their rent. A year later, nothing has happened with it. I'll believe that Smash's tactic worked when I see the bill, but I won't hold my breath.

Amy,

Let's lobby our Congresspersons. Maybe that'll help.

Yours,
Wince

Keep us posted Dean. I'm not a regular reader of Lt. Smash (only so many hours in the day you know), but I do check here daily. We can all do our part with a letter or phone call. They really do pull a lot of weight with local and state level gov't., and maybe even at the federal level. Well, that's how I learned it anyway. ;)