Which Phrases Are More Effective When Communicating with Elected Officials? [View all]

[MineralMan]

Letting elected officials know our opinions on issues is extremely important. Even if your communication with them is merely tallied and the totals reported to the person you addressed it to, it counts. But, really well-written emails and paper letters can do more, and may actually be seen by that legislator or other elected official. How you write your communication really does matter. If the actual elected person reads your communication, it obviously has a greater impact. Below are some pairs of ways of saying similar things. Which of each pair do you think is the more likely to help get your communication directly to the person addressed?

You are a complete moron!
or
I disagree with your position on this issue, and here are reasons why.

I will never vote for you again! You are worthless!
or
If you continue to support this issue, I will have to reconsider who to support in the primary election next year.

You can just forget about any contribution from me!
or
I have limited funds for campaign contributions, and select the candidates I support very carefully.

If you vote for this proposal, you are a fucking idiot!
or
Your vote on this proposal is important to me, and will affect my support for you in the future.

You're just another DINO! I'm not even going to vote next year.
or
I'm disappointed in what appears to be a shift toward the right on your part. I urge you to rethink your position on these issues.

You fucking Republicans are all alike!
or
I am a Democratic voter, and plan to work very hard to replace you in the next election. Please reconsider your vote.

In all of those cases, the first way of expressing a point will lead to your communication being tallied, at best. The second way of expressing the point will help your communication reach the person to whom you wrote it. Think about it, the next time you write that email or letter. It's important.