 Pamela, Right now, federal representatives are back home in their districts, and they need to hear from you. When you speak with your representatives you get to share with them your values and they get to connect with a real person. Your voice has power. Too often, decisions in Congress are driven by special interests, not by the people living with the consequences or who want a better future for their families, friends, and communities. That's why we're encouraging you to share your story with your representatives in Congress by calling them or attending local town hall meetings. Not sure how to get the conversation started? Keep reading, we've got you covered with conversation starters. One of the best ways to make your voice heard is at a town hall meeting hosted by your congressional Representative or Senator. You may need to register in advance to attend, and some events require you to sign up ahead of time if you want to speak or ask a question. Here's how to find events happening near you: Sign up for your representative's email newsletter, most offices announce upcoming town halls and listening sessions there. Check their official website and social media pages, events are often posted on the website or on their social media. Call their local district office and ask when the next town hall or public meeting is scheduled. Every one of us has a story about how decisions made by those in power have affected our lives, our families, or our communities. Maybe a loved one had their medicaid cut, had cuts to their SNAP, faced barriers when trying to vote, got silenced by a new law affecting student and community voices, or you've simply had enough of politicians prioritizing special interests over their constituents. Maybe you are directly impacted by the Budget Reconciliation bill that Congress passed in July, which will have devastating consequences for millions of Americans while handing huge tax breaks to the ultra wealthy. Whatever your experience, your story matters. Call your senator and representative or sign up to speak out at a local meeting to share your story. We'll support you every step of the way. Sharing your personal story can help your representatives, as well as your family, neighbors, friends, and community members know what's at stake. Here are some helpful steps to help you share your story: Who Are You & What Do You Value? My name is (name), and I live in (city/state), I'm a (parent, student, voter, advocate, worker). One value that matters deeply to me is (value, ex., fairness, freedom, community, family, opportunity, safety). I believe everyone deserves (to have their basic needs met / access to healthcare / a fair chance to succeed / to feel safe and respected). What's Happening? The Budget Reconciliation bill recently passed, and I've already seen how decisions made by people in power are impacting me and my community. (Share a specific example, ex., Medicaid cuts, loss of SNAP benefits, more tax breaks for the wealthy while services are cut.). This made me feel (emotion) because (personal impact, ex., it made it harder for my family to afford food and medicine / it sent the message that our lives matter less than profits). What Is the Personal Impact? This issue hit close to home for me when (describe the real impact, ex., my family lost Medicaid coverage, my neighbor's SNAP benefits were cut). It made me feel (emotion, ex., powerless, angry, scared) because (why it mattered ex., it hurt people I love, it went against my values, it deepened inequality). That's why I'm speaking out now. I believe our government should work for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Closing. We need a budget that protects our communities, invests in people, and makes sure everyone has a fair chance. Keep it short. Aim for 1-3 minutes, and practice speaking it out loud. You can also use this 1-3-Minute Story Mad Lib Tool, which has a 1-min and 3-min story guide, to get started. If you need extra support with drafting your story please send an email to Fedouard@commoncause.org. You can also use this 1-3-Minute Story Mad Lib Tool to get started. Sharing the impact these policies are having on everyday Floridians is an important step in helping lead the charge for a democracy that works for all of us. Your story and your voice can make a difference! Thank you for being a voice for democracy, Franceska Edouard, Florida Organizer
and the team at Common Cause Florida | | | | Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Common Cause Florida, please click here. | | | |
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