A User's Guide to Getting Involved in Democracy—Petitions and Protests

 

After you listen to this episode of A User's Guide to Democracy on Unknown History, quiz yourself on what you've learned about getting involved in government for a chance to win a copy of the book! (Enter by Sunday, September 27, 2020.)

Last week, we talked about elections and the Electoral College. If you missed it, make sure to give a listen to keep your civic skills sharp.

Today, in week two, we're talking about what you can do to participate in government. This is crucial information as we slide into a contentious election season.

How to make your voice heard in government

What's the first step on the road to making this democracy work for you? Make sure you're heard by the people who are making the laws for your life.

Did you know that, before he became our fourth president, James Madison served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives? Madison was a true champion of Congress's responsibility to "We, the People." He believed the House should have, "an immediate dependence on and sympathy with the people."

Congress is only in power because we put them there.

And before we tell you how to win that sympathy, a little reminder: That immediate dependence Madison was talking about? Congress is only in power because we put them there. Even the most cynical of citizens has to admit that there is a baseline reason why Congress has to listen to us. If they don't, we can choose not to vote for them.

Alright, now we've established who holds the reins—we do. How should you go about being heard by your representatives?

Petitioning for a redress of grievances

It's right there in the first amendment to our Constitution—we have the right as American citizens to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The quickest, easiest way to do that is by phone.

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in the late 1800s. By 1900, Congress was getting hundreds of calls a day. Before information like a senator's phone number was kept strictly confidential, people would call them up at all hours demanding legislation that suited their needs.

How to call your congressperson

Unless you're very lucky, or very sneaky, or very well connected, chances are you don't have a rep's home number these days. So what do you do?

You can find the office numbers for your representatives at senate.gov or...

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