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The United States is a nation of laws. If "the people" want to change a governmental policy it must be done through laws - or the legislative process. PCP aims to focus resources toward promoting policies that are responsible and sensible, and discouraging cruel policies.
Already, voters can lobby incumbent representatives to let their votes accurately represent constituent opinions.
But who does that? Who actually reaches out to their congress person or governor or mayor?
If people don't like the government policies it is up to the people to SAY SOMETHING.
The best way for the Post-Capitalism Party to make a difference is through impacting legislation.
How can we do that?
- PCP can help coordinate communication campaigns on legislation that is up for vote
- PCP's legal team can help craft new legislation that can be brought before Congress for debate and vote
- PCP can run its own candidates, those who uphold our tenets and will support legislation that is sensible and fair
LEGISLATIVE IMPACT - LOBBYING INCUMBENTS
All this popular support for current or new legislation is called lobbying.
As a regular person, did you have any idea how to “lobby” for policies? Neither did we, initially. Google is a Godsend though. We found three standout sources from the large results list.
From what we gather, “lobbying” just means making your opinions known to the representatives. If you’re a single citizen that just means contacting them via mail, email, phone, or visiting their office.
When we hear the word “lobbying” in the news it’s usually about whole industries (automotive, tech, farm) hiring expensive walking suits who spend all day talking to different representatives – anyone in power who is on a committee or going to vote on something to do with that industry. Lots of expensive power lunches and golf outings are involved, we’re guessing.
The three stand-out sources from the list above both concentrate on how individuals or small groups can make their opinions known to representatives.
HOWEVER….
By the time we got to the third one, it became apparent that these ready-made lobbying groups (conveniently already based in Washington DC) were ALL really progressive.
Progressive is good, sure.
But it felt alienating to those who might be coming in from more conservative points of view.
So in the same vein as we put “NO HATE” in all caps, we’ll put this in all caps: “WE SUPPORT THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND PERSONAL FREEDOMS.”
While we do support the three lobbying groups listed here, we are open to suggestion on (pretty much) any group that does not promote hate.
What if lobbying groups are on opposing sides of a bill or vote?
That’s a very real possibility. Of 340 million Americans people are going to disagree on things.
Official PCP policy will be decided through a democratic process.
In the meantime we support what we see of these first three organizations and encourage our members to also support them. See more about their actions in our forums dedicated to “Contact your congress person.”
ADD SUGGESTED ORGANIZATIONS either here (for transparency) or in the suggestion box (for faster response) or in the appropriate category’s discussion forums (because it all comes down to “issues” right?)
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
https://www.nrdc.org/
NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
https://www.fcnl.org/
The Friends Committee on National Legislation, FCNL Education Fund, and Friends Place on Capitol Hill are national nonprofit, nonpartisan Quaker organizations working collectively to advance peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.
The American Humanist Association
https://americanhumanist.org/
Guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience.
Each of the above organizations has helpful pages about best practices for lobbying your representatives. We encourage PCP organizers to check these out.
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-lobby-your-legislator
https://www.fcnl.org/resources/how-meet-congress
https://americanhumanist.org/get-involved/resources/lobbying-tips/
NEXT IN IMPACT – LEGISLATION:
Run Our Own Candidates
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