Planning to Visit Your Legislator? A Few Dos and Don'ts

With Catholic Schools Week upon us, many of us are planning to take part in the rally at the Capitol in support of the Arizona Tuition Tax Credit and have visits lined up with our legislators. If it's your first time, here's a quick list of Dos and Don'ts as you prepare for your meeting (courtesy of the USCCB):

DO

• make sure you have an appointment. Arrive on time, or, better yet, a little early.
• identify clearly the subject matter or subjects in which you are interested.
• state why you're concerned about the issue. Your own personal experience is excellent evidence.
• restrict yourself to one or at most two topics.
• put your thoughts into your own words. This is especially important if you're responding to something you've read.
• try to establish a relationship with your own legislators. You have more influence as an actual constituent.
• communicate while legislation is in committee and subcommittees, as well as when it's on the floor.

DON'T

• be starstruck. While it's important to show respect for our sustem of government and for the office itself, remember: these people are your neighbors.
• ever, ever threaten. Don't even hint "I'll never vote for you unless you do what I want." Present the best arguments in your favor and ask for consideration. A legislator understands electoral consequences.
• pretend to wield vast political influence. Communicate with your legislator as a constituent, not as a self-appointed spokesperson for your school, neighborhood, community, or profession.
• use incediary rhetoric, innuendos, or cliches. Jargon just makes your communication sound mass produced even when it isn't.
• become a pen pal or perpetual infomercial. It's easy to ignore the constant background noise.