Reach out to your member of Congress

Reach out to your representative whether or not you voted for them.

I think as a society we have come to the conclusion that the absolute only way to be heard by your government is to pick someone who you slightly agree with politically and then vote for them. They might win or they might lose, but you hope they win and you hope they do what they said they would. Either way, you wait till the next election and use your one and only chance to be heard for the time being and vote and you just hope someone hears you.

That is not how it has to be, nor how it should be. Now, voting is essential and I think everyone should vote for who they want in office, however don’t stop there. If there is something you want your representatives to do or support, tell them. Call them, email them, visit their office. Putting pressure on them can be surprisingly effective, especially if a lot of people are doing it. I reach out to my representatives every week to encourage them to support things like the Girls LEAD Act, the MINDS act, and the International Affairs Budget because these are things I care about. I encourage you to do the same.

Your time to be heard does not end when you cast your vote, that's when it begins.

Rachel Gantt

Urbandale