PLEASE CONSIDER mailing a letter to people in your precinct...

[RobertDevereaux]

Our Kerry meet-up occurs every second Thursday. We've begun to adopt an idea, derived from I forget where, to send letters to people in our precincts. To be most effective, these letters should be personal and from the heart.

Below are two examples, to give you the idea.

These are designed for moderate Republicans as well as Dems and unaffiliated. In other words, we've deliberately kept the anti-Bush rage ever-present but toned down, in favor of our genuine love of and concern for our nation, and the positives that John Kerry offers. (Another strategy might be to have two or three variants to send out, since you can find out who in your precinct is registered Dem, Rep, or Unaffiliated.)

I don't know what other states have set up, but in Colorado, we are blessed to have http://www.democracyforcolorado.org where ThinkPrecinct gives us lists of registered voters, their ages, addresses, and so on.

Please seriously consider doing this, over and above the essential precinct walking you may choose to do!

EXAMPLE 1:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Family Members,

This year’s election is one of the most important, if not the most important, in our lifetimes. We have never felt as passionate about actively participating in the democratic process as we do this year. Because we care deeply for our country and want the best future for all Americans, we are supporting the Kerry-Edwards ticket.

We believe that with Kerry and Edwards in the White House, the needed changes to our health care system, our educational system, and our economy will be more obtainable. Their view of America and their economic and social priorities will improve the prospect of a better future for our children and for all Americans. We also believe that the Kerry-Edwards view of America’s position in the world and its relationship to our allies will make it safer for our children and safer for all Americans in today’s dangerous global environment. And, of course, as Coloradans who love the outdoors and live here partly because of the breathtaking landscapes and blue skies, we believe our environment deserves protection from polluting industry and oil drilling operations that exploit our most precious lands. The Bush administration does not share this value and has systematically relaxed clean air and water standards in favor of industry. The Arctic Wildlife Refuge continues to be a prime target for oil drilling.

As a health care provider and small business owner, Vicki has taken a particularly strong interest in Kerry’s proposals for reform. Sadly, the mainstream media has done a poor job of communicating these proposals to us. They have been criticized for being too ambitious and expensive. Kerry’s plan would extend coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans, while reducing premiums for the insured. To finance that, Mr. Kerry would roll back tax cuts for the roughly 3 percent of the population with incomes above $200,000. The net cost of the plan over the next decade has been estimated at $653 billion. Too much? Consider the cost of the Bush tax cuts if they are made permanent. Over the next decade they will cost $2.8 trillion. And these are tax cuts for those who do not need them! Kerry’s proposals regarding health care will have the added benefit of helping American business, especially small businesses. Small businesses are the job creation engines of America. A plan that calls for a tax credit for the creation of new jobs and helps share the burden of health care costs will be a real boost to small businesses. For the details of Kerry’s health care reform plan, please visit the Kerry website at www.johnkerry.com.

Ralph Nader’s claim that our political parties are essentially the same is not true. We believe that if the Bush administration remains in power, Americans will continue to polarize as the political agendas of the most extreme elements of the right wing are even more vigorously pursued. At the very least, 50 per cent of Americans will continue to distrust anything that comes out of the White House. The Bush administration has created “two Americas,” one consisting of the wealthy and elite, the other composed of folks like us who work hard in our families, our communities, the military, and our schools to bear the burden. America cannot achieve its full potential without inclusiveness, bipartisanship, and a commitment to fairness as well as strength. Our nation’s strength derives from a respectful and vigorous debate among many viewpoints. The Kerry administration is more likely to bring us together in the spirit of bipartisanship and inclusiveness, and more likely to enlist the cooperation and support of our international allies. John Kerry will help America recover the use of all her strengths: economic, diplomatic, military, and the strength and power of being trustworthy and fair.

If you would like to learn more about why it is important to support John Kerry, please feel free to contact us. We have voter registration forms, mail-in ballot forms, buttons, and bumper stickers should you want them.

Respectfully,
Vicki and Robert

EXAMPLE 2:
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Family Members,

We care passionately for this country and we want the best for its future. As active American citizens we support the Kerry-Edwards ticket for two fundamental reasons:

1. We believe their view of America and their economic and social priorities will improve the prospect of a better future for our children and for all Americans, and

2. We believe their view of America’s position in the world and its relationship to our allies will make it safer for our children and safer for all Americans in today’s dangerous global environment.

America is the world’s leader. We know it cannot achieve its full potential without inclusiveness, bipartisanship and a commitment to fairness as well as strength. America’s strength comes from a coming together of many.

The present administration has squandered opportunities for collaboration and cooperation; at an economic level, a political level, a military level, and a national and international level. We the people, working hard in our families, in our communities, in the military, in our schools, bear the burden. We are working hard and with integrity despite the poor leadership of the present administration.

The Kerry administration would more likely bring us together in a spirit of bipartisanship and inclusiveness in the country, and have a strong administration for enlisting the cooperation and support of our allies. John Kerry will help America return to the use of all her strengths: economic, diplomatic, military, and the strength and power of being trustworthy and fair.

If you would like to learn more about why it is important to support John Kerry please feel free to contact us. We have voter registration forms, mail-in ballot forms, buttons and bumper stickers should you want them.

Respectfully,
Barbara and Chris

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

[NMDemDist2]

1. excellent idea, I can include my Democratic party biz card too

woohoo :bounce:

[RobertDevereaux]

2. Kick!