Reply #22: "As far as how we defeat the lobbyists... I'd love to know." HERE'S HOW:

[calimary]

Simple. We have to make it clear that, in numbers, we're BIGGER than they are. Unfortunately, THAT takes time, energy and commitment. That takes people actually calling and haranguing their reps, and making one or two calls, at least once during the week, or sending emails or better yet: PAPER LETTERS, demanding action.

We CAN'T fight the lobbyists at their own game - lots of three-martini lunches at swanky restaurants, NBA/NFL tickets, vacation trips and other travel freebies and lots of perks. Well, we know we don't have those resources. But we have numbers. Sheer numbers. And commitment.

How many times do we hear politicians of all stripes reading some letter from somewhere - as an example of the folks at home and how they think. There's NO reason why one of OUR letters couldn't be one of THOSE letters. Furthermore, if anybody has the following two things: a small child at home and an ailing grandma or uncle or family bread-winner, it would be MOST effective IF THAT CHILD were to send in a little note. Politicians ALWAYS respond to kids. It's good PR. Sooooooooooooooooooo then, let's play some PR. Any way to put an appealing, potentially photogenic, apple-pie face on the issue or on someone's hard-luck story is THE way to go.

Just a thought...

The big guns don't have to have the last word. Think Goliath. Think DAVID.