Backing President Bush, the House of Representatives last Thursday
narrowly defeated Democrats' efforts to boost funds to fight the
global AIDS epidemic by shifting money away from anti-drug efforts
in Colombia. The House voted 226-195 against redirecting $75 million
from the U.S. led war on drugs in Colombia, funds mostly used for
the destructive aerial fumigation of coca crops that are used to make
cocaine, to global health. For more info about this vote, click here: http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/07_24_03colombia.cfm
Now that the vote has taken place, it's important to thank your
Representative if they supported the McGovern amendment to cut aid
to Colombia or let your Representative know that you are disappointed
for opposing it. Lobby your congressperson to stop U.S. funding of
the destructive Colombian drug war.
For tips on how to develop a productive, long-term relationship with
your elected officials and their staff in order to change their
position on the drug war in Colombia, click here: http://www.drugpolicy.org/join/involved/hill/
1) Find out how your Representative voted.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/Colombia2003.pdf
If you don't know who your representative is, click here: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/
2) Call your Representative.
To reach your Representative by phone, call the US Capitol Switchboard
at 800-839-5276, or call your Representative's office directly by
looking up their contact info:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=409157&l=3166
You can leave a message for the Representative with the front desk.
Make sure that in addition to your message your address is given so
that they can write back if they are inclined.
If your Representative voted yes...
Thank him/her for supporting the end to the destructive drug war in
Colombia by voting for the McGovern Amendment to the 2004 Foreign
Operations bill that would have reduce military aid to Colombia.
Encourage him or her to co-sponsor legislation that would put an end
to the Colombian drug war.
If your Representative voted no...
Tell him/her that you are very disappointed that he or she opposed the
McGovern Amendment to the 2004 Foreign Operations bill that would have
reduced military aid to Colombia, but that you hope he or she will co-
sponsor a bill in the future to stop the pointless Colombian drug war.
3) Write a letter/postcard
Writing a letter shows a congressperson how important you find the
issue and provides written documentation of constituent feedback.
When they receive your letter, it's very likely that they will respond
to it with a letter of their own. Just a few lines will do. You can
even put it on a postcard. Make sure that you include your own address.
That way they can write you back. When they do respond, let us know
what they said by contacting us at [email protected] or
fax it to us at 202/216-0803, attn: Bill Piper.
Basic Format
Here's the basic form letter with three major bullet points. Most
importantly, Representatives like to know why you are writing, what you
would like them to do in the future and what your address is. It is
always most effective to write in your own words.
Addressing the letter:
The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Rep. _______________,
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
Sample Letter for Yes Voters
Although we urge being concise and to-the-point (4 sentences), you may
find a longer letter such as the one below helpful.
Addressing the letter:
The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Rep. _______________,
I would like to thank you and your office for the courageous stance
you took on behalf of House Roll Call Vote 426 concerning Foreign
Operations Appropriations. The amendment sought to redirect $75
million in funds currently used in combating the drug war in Colombia
towards HIV/AIDS programs. Your support for increasing funding towards
patients infected with this dangerous epidemic demonstrates your
compassion for the sick and dying. In addition, your choice to
reduce funds for the Colombian drug war demonstrates your commitment
towards ending a counter-productive and dangerous battle against the
people of Colombia. The current methods used in the Colombian drug
war, particularly aerial fumigation, damage both food and cash crops,
thereby destroying the livelihoods of thousands of peasant farmers.
Furthermore, the war has severe environmental and political
consequences in a country already impoverished and plagued with civil
strife. Future means for curbing drug use in America must focus on
demand and harm reduction at home, thereby reducing violence and
overall harm. Voting on behalf of AIDS victims and the people of
Colombia was truly the right thing to do. Please consider supporting
any legislation in the future that would put an end to the
destructive war in Colombia and providing funding for the sick and
dying.
Again, thank you for working to cut military aid to Colombia. I
encourage you to continue being an outspoken voice for victims of the
drug war.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
Sample Letter for No Voters
Although we urge being concise and to-the-point (4 sentences), you may
find a longer letter such as the one below helpful. Don't forget -
the most effective communication does not involve anger - make your
case in non-judgmental language, stressing that you want them to vote
in favor of ending the Colombian drug war.
Addressing the letter:
The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Rep. ________________,
I would like to express my disappointment in you and your office
regarding a vote you recently cast regarding the Colombian drug war.
On Thursday, July 24, you voted against House Roll Call Vote 426
concerning Foreign Operations Appropriations. The amendment sought to
increase funding for HIV/AIDS programs by $75 million by offsetting
the costs with a reduction in funding for the Colombian drug war. Your
failure to protect the people of Colombia and AIDS patients is very
disappointing.
The drug war in Colombia has, for many reasons, done much more harm
than good. The current methods used in the Colombian drug war,
particularly aerial fumigation, damage both food and cash crops,
thereby destroying the livelihoods of thousands of peasant farmers.
The war has severe environmental and political consequences in a
country already impoverished and plagued with civil strife. Such
methods create a balloon effect, simply moving drug production to
other regions. In addition, committing funds towards the Colombian
military only heightens violence within the region, causing drug lords
to invent new and deadlier means of getting their goods into the hands
of Americans. Future initiatives for curbing drug use in America must
focus on demand and harm reduction at home, reducing violence and
overall harm. It's time for our Representatives to realize that the
war in Colombia is merely an attempt to export domestic problems.
Your vote to block passage of this amendment was the wrong thing to do.
I urge you to reconsider your stance on the Colombian drug war. Please
support any legislation in the future that would put an end to the
destructive war in Colombia and providing more funding those infected
with AIDS. Your vote is essential in creating a more humane and safe
America.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
4) Call or write your Senator
Using the above mentioned methods and formats, contact your Senator
and urge him/her to vote for any amendment to cut military aid to
Colombia when the Senate debates the 2004 Foreign Operations bill.
This will proactively let your Senator know that ending Colombian
drug war spending matters to Americans.
If you do not know who your Senator is, enter your address and zip
code at: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=409157&l=3167
________________
From the Drug Policy Alliance newsletter
http://www.drugpolicy.org/
narrowly defeated Democrats' efforts to boost funds to fight the
global AIDS epidemic by shifting money away from anti-drug efforts
in Colombia. The House voted 226-195 against redirecting $75 million
from the U.S. led war on drugs in Colombia, funds mostly used for
the destructive aerial fumigation of coca crops that are used to make
cocaine, to global health. For more info about this vote, click here: http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/07_24_03colombia.cfm
Now that the vote has taken place, it's important to thank your
Representative if they supported the McGovern amendment to cut aid
to Colombia or let your Representative know that you are disappointed
for opposing it. Lobby your congressperson to stop U.S. funding of
the destructive Colombian drug war.
For tips on how to develop a productive, long-term relationship with
your elected officials and their staff in order to change their
position on the drug war in Colombia, click here: http://www.drugpolicy.org/join/involved/hill/
1) Find out how your Representative voted.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/docUploads/Colombia2003.pdf
If you don't know who your representative is, click here: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/
2) Call your Representative.
To reach your Representative by phone, call the US Capitol Switchboard
at 800-839-5276, or call your Representative's office directly by
looking up their contact info:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=409157&l=3166
You can leave a message for the Representative with the front desk.
Make sure that in addition to your message your address is given so
that they can write back if they are inclined.
If your Representative voted yes...
Thank him/her for supporting the end to the destructive drug war in
Colombia by voting for the McGovern Amendment to the 2004 Foreign
Operations bill that would have reduce military aid to Colombia.
Encourage him or her to co-sponsor legislation that would put an end
to the Colombian drug war.
If your Representative voted no...
Tell him/her that you are very disappointed that he or she opposed the
McGovern Amendment to the 2004 Foreign Operations bill that would have
reduced military aid to Colombia, but that you hope he or she will co-
sponsor a bill in the future to stop the pointless Colombian drug war.
3) Write a letter/postcard
Writing a letter shows a congressperson how important you find the
issue and provides written documentation of constituent feedback.
When they receive your letter, it's very likely that they will respond
to it with a letter of their own. Just a few lines will do. You can
even put it on a postcard. Make sure that you include your own address.
That way they can write you back. When they do respond, let us know
what they said by contacting us at [email protected] or
fax it to us at 202/216-0803, attn: Bill Piper.
Basic Format
Here's the basic form letter with three major bullet points. Most
importantly, Representatives like to know why you are writing, what you
would like them to do in the future and what your address is. It is
always most effective to write in your own words.
Addressing the letter:
The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Rep. _______________,
- WHY YOU ARE WRITING - I would like to thank you for (or) I am
disappointed in your vote on House Roll Call Vote 426, the amendment
that would increase by $75 million funding for HIV/AIDS programs by
reducing funding for the Colombian drug war. - Optional WHY - the Colombian drug war is very destructive to the
people of Colombia. - Optional WHY - the Colombian drug war focuses on supply and not
demand reduction at home. - WHAT TO DO NOW - Please sponsor or co-sponsor future legislation to
de-fund or halt the Colombian drug war. - CLOSE - Thank you for taking an affirmative stance on the Colombian
drug war (or) I urge you to reconsider your stance on the Colombian
drug war.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
Sample Letter for Yes Voters
Although we urge being concise and to-the-point (4 sentences), you may
find a longer letter such as the one below helpful.
Addressing the letter:
The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Rep. _______________,
I would like to thank you and your office for the courageous stance
you took on behalf of House Roll Call Vote 426 concerning Foreign
Operations Appropriations. The amendment sought to redirect $75
million in funds currently used in combating the drug war in Colombia
towards HIV/AIDS programs. Your support for increasing funding towards
patients infected with this dangerous epidemic demonstrates your
compassion for the sick and dying. In addition, your choice to
reduce funds for the Colombian drug war demonstrates your commitment
towards ending a counter-productive and dangerous battle against the
people of Colombia. The current methods used in the Colombian drug
war, particularly aerial fumigation, damage both food and cash crops,
thereby destroying the livelihoods of thousands of peasant farmers.
Furthermore, the war has severe environmental and political
consequences in a country already impoverished and plagued with civil
strife. Future means for curbing drug use in America must focus on
demand and harm reduction at home, thereby reducing violence and
overall harm. Voting on behalf of AIDS victims and the people of
Colombia was truly the right thing to do. Please consider supporting
any legislation in the future that would put an end to the
destructive war in Colombia and providing funding for the sick and
dying.
Again, thank you for working to cut military aid to Colombia. I
encourage you to continue being an outspoken voice for victims of the
drug war.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
Sample Letter for No Voters
Although we urge being concise and to-the-point (4 sentences), you may
find a longer letter such as the one below helpful. Don't forget -
the most effective communication does not involve anger - make your
case in non-judgmental language, stressing that you want them to vote
in favor of ending the Colombian drug war.
Addressing the letter:
The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Rep. ________________,
I would like to express my disappointment in you and your office
regarding a vote you recently cast regarding the Colombian drug war.
On Thursday, July 24, you voted against House Roll Call Vote 426
concerning Foreign Operations Appropriations. The amendment sought to
increase funding for HIV/AIDS programs by $75 million by offsetting
the costs with a reduction in funding for the Colombian drug war. Your
failure to protect the people of Colombia and AIDS patients is very
disappointing.
The drug war in Colombia has, for many reasons, done much more harm
than good. The current methods used in the Colombian drug war,
particularly aerial fumigation, damage both food and cash crops,
thereby destroying the livelihoods of thousands of peasant farmers.
The war has severe environmental and political consequences in a
country already impoverished and plagued with civil strife. Such
methods create a balloon effect, simply moving drug production to
other regions. In addition, committing funds towards the Colombian
military only heightens violence within the region, causing drug lords
to invent new and deadlier means of getting their goods into the hands
of Americans. Future initiatives for curbing drug use in America must
focus on demand and harm reduction at home, reducing violence and
overall harm. It's time for our Representatives to realize that the
war in Colombia is merely an attempt to export domestic problems.
Your vote to block passage of this amendment was the wrong thing to do.
I urge you to reconsider your stance on the Colombian drug war. Please
support any legislation in the future that would put an end to the
destructive war in Colombia and providing more funding those infected
with AIDS. Your vote is essential in creating a more humane and safe
America.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
4) Call or write your Senator
Using the above mentioned methods and formats, contact your Senator
and urge him/her to vote for any amendment to cut military aid to
Colombia when the Senate debates the 2004 Foreign Operations bill.
This will proactively let your Senator know that ending Colombian
drug war spending matters to Americans.
If you do not know who your Senator is, enter your address and zip
code at: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=409157&l=3167
________________
From the Drug Policy Alliance newsletter
http://www.drugpolicy.org/
