Exceptionally, this is not an action call. I have just finished reading the New York Times an article about all the recent changes to gay marriages in the US (if you’re wondering, I think it’s all pretty fabulous). One quote in the end caught my eye:
Representative Robert South, a freshman Democrat from a conservative district, said he reversed his position after 228 of his constituents reached out and urged him to support the override, compared with 198 who urged him to oppose it.
“It was very difficult for me,” Mr. South said, “because the marriage equality bill, as far as I’m concerned, has split the state. I see how close my numbers are for and against same-sex marriage, and it’s divided my constituents, and that’s what upsets me.”
Any time you hear someone say that individuals reaching out to governments or representatives don’t make a difference, come back here. Writing an email or picking up your phone DO make a difference. Don’t wait for an NGO to tell you to do that. When you see something wrong, just do something about it. You are the voters. Use your power. 228 people is not that much when you think about it, and that’s all it took to change one lawmaker. The veto override in Vermont was quite close. Don’t ever think your opinion doesn’t matter to your representatives.
