Letter & Postcard Writing Guide

Shawshank Redemption If you have seen Shawshank Redemption, then you already know the story behind Andy Dufresne’s letter-writing efforts. But for those of you unfamiliar with it, here's a rundown. Andy takes charge of the library at the prison and starts to send applications to the Maine State Senate for money for books. Some time goes by where he gets no response to his weekly letters. Then one day the Senate finally relents, anticipating that Andy will stop requesting funds now that his request has been answered. Instead of halting his letters, he starts writing twice as often.  His diligent continued communication results in a major expansion of the library's collection, and he also helps a number of prisoners earn equivalency diplomas, preparing them for life after parole.  Moral of the story... Even when you think your legislators aren't listening and all seems to be hopeless and a lost cause, keep persisting.  They hear you, they are listening, they will give in to the pressure. You will win.

Letters
 
The below components (Openings, Main Content, and Closings) are meant to assist you in assembling a letter/postcard to send to your legislator (like building your own Zippy’s breakfast with only the ingredients you like or in this case that take into account: where you reside, your previous interaction(s) with your legislator (or none if that applies), your knowledge of convention of states, your specific interests in wanting certain issues addressed (like federal spending, term limits, etc..), or just a general overall interest in wanting to do something to influence your representative or senator into supporting a convention of states to doing something about the out of control federal government.
 
Please take a paragraph from each of the 3 different areas (Openings, Main Content, Closings) and thoughtfully assemble them into what feels genuine to you.
 
Note: This is a suggestive writing aid/system meant to spur thought/action. If you have your own words or content, please feel free to write the letter from that. Whatever you do, DO NOT just grab paragraphs that don’t fit together or make sense from your perspective. Always be willing to interject your own wording to personalize the content. It is suggested that you go to www.conventionofstates.com/resources to briefly research your subject matter in order to compose a more thoughtful letter.

Openings

I live in your district and vote, I support the Convention of States resolution.   As a concerned citizen, voter and constituent, I support the Convention of States resolution.   I live in your district and vote, and I’m asking for your help.   I’m a veteran who lives in your district and votes. I support Convention of States, it is clear to me that the constitution and country I swore an oath to defend is under attack.   As a veteran, voter, constituent, and supporter of Convention of States, our military that I served is unrecognizable and is being turned into a petri dish of social engineering that is weakening it from the inside.   I live in your district, vote, and support Convention of States efforts to restore liberty by limiting the federal governments excessive overreach into the affairs of our state.   I live in your district, vote, and support Convention of States efforts to restore liberty through term limits on federally elected and appointed bureaucrats who no longer represent me or my family’s interest.   I live in your district, vote, and support Convention of States Action efforts to restore our state sovereignty by limiting the federal government’s overreach in to the affairs of our state.   I am writing to you as a constituent and concerned citizen supporting the Convention of States resolution to be presented in the upcoming legislative session.   I live in your district, vote, and just attended a Convention of States Hawai’i event, I would like to know what your position is.   I live in your district and vote, I want to express my support for Convention of States and want to encourage you to support it also.   I’m a constituent and volunteer for Convention of States Hawai’i because it’s the only solution I can see working long term that will restore our constitutional republic.   I’m constituent and volunteer with Convention of States Hawai’i and I would like to meet to discuss you sponsoring or co-sponsoring our resolution this legislative session.

Main Content

Our national debt is skyrocketing, career bureaucrats run Washington DC, and career politicians of both parties no longer represent me or my family's interests.   I think about the future because I have children and grandchildren, and I often wonder if the United States of America will even exist for them. The federal debt is more than $31 trillion dollars, with no end to spending in sight. This is madness!   As a State Legislator, Article V of the Constitution enables you to get your power back in order to properly represent our community and our state. Because you know our community, I want you to make decisions for us locally, not the career politicians and unelected bureaucrats in D.C.   Our nation is in trouble! Huge debt, over regulation, and one-size-fits-all decisions from Washington are out of control. The U.S. Constitution gives you the authority to call for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting the terrible loss of freedoms our government is imposing on America, on Hawai’i, and ultimately on our citizens.   Today we have a federal government that continues to overstep its bounds. We can’t vote our way out of the mess Washington D.C. has made. We have a runaway bureaucracy, bloated government, massive deficits and well over $100 trillion in unfunded liabilities.   When the framers wrote the U.S. Constitution in 1787, they knew the people would need to be involved if this republic were to last. The framers knew it was natural for a government to grow and become oppressive. So, a few days before the Constitution was finalized, the delegates unanimously decided to put a tool in place to bring the government back under control of the states. That tool is the amendment process detailed in Article V.   Since Congress won’t correct itself by bringing the federal government under control, it is time we used Article V to make the corrections needed. It’s time to restore these great United States of America to what our founders intended them to be.   Some people will tell you to be afraid of a “runaway convention.” Don’t let fear prevent you from doing your duty to preserve our federal system. There are plenty of protections on the convention of states process. But right now nothing is protecting us from continued federal overreach.   Today we have a federal government that continues to overstep its bounds. Washington, DC will not fix itself. The rule of law is not enforced. The Supreme Court is making laws from rulings, and Congress stands silent. Who represents we the People?   Article V of the Constitution has been described as a safety valve put in place by our Founding Fathers. They wisely anticipated that a day would come when the federal government would become too dominant and usurp power that belongs to the states. Article V is the mechanism built into the Constitution to allow the people to take back their power and their rights through their state legislators.   So far 19 states have passed legislation to apply for a Convention of States to propose amendments that will bring real reform to Washington. It takes 34 states to authorize a convention and 38 states to approve any proposed amendment. That is high accountability!   From what I understand a Convention of States could limit the size and reach of the federal government into our state’s affairs and I think the federal government is out of control and needs to be checked.   One of the goals of Convention of States is to propose amendments to limit federal spending and I think it’s long past time for this to happen.   Convention of States is for term limits of federal officials (both elected and appointed) and that would solve a lot of our problems right there because it could curtail special interest influence.   An Article V Convention of States sounds like it could stop the federal government from overreaching into our states’ business which I am all for.   The Convention of States website shows nineteen states have already passed the resolution and I want Hawai'i to get on board with this too.   I think about the future because I have children and grandchildren, and wonder if the United States of America will even exist for them. I fear if we don’t get our federal spending under control, we are going to lose this country.   Almost everyone knows our federal government is on a dangerous course. It is clear to me that Washington is broken. It is in the hands of people who do not share my values of freedom and liberty.   As a veteran, it is clear to me that the country I swore an oath to defend, an oath that does not expire, is on an unsustainable course.

Closings

Please be a sponsor or co-sponsor of the Convention of States resolution in the upcoming legislative session.   Whatever your past position on Convention of States was, I ask you to please sponsor or co-sponsor the resolution in the upcoming legislative session.   Please consider sponsoring or co-sponsoring our Convention of States resolution in the upcoming legislative session.   As an active and concerned constituent in your district. I would like to meet with you to further discuss you sponsoring or co-sponsoring our Convention of States resolution in the upcoming session.   Would you please tell me what your position is on this? I would also like to schedule a meeting with you to discuss this further.   On my behalf I want you to sponsor or co-sponsor the Convention of States resolution in the upcoming session.

Samples

	Sample 1   Aloha Senator (Name) or Representative (Name),   I live in your district and I’m asking for your help.   Our nation is in trouble! Huge debt, over regulation, and one-size-fits-all decisions from Washington are out of control. The U.S. Constitution gives you the authority to call for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting the terrible loss of freedoms our government is imposing on America, on Hawai’i, and ultimately on our citizens.   Please be a sponsor or co-sponsor of the Convention of States resolution in the upcoming legislative session.   Mahalo for serving our district and Hawai’i,   Your name Your address, email & phone
	Sample 2   Aloha Senator (Name) or Representative (Name),   As a concerned citizen and constituent, I support the Convention of States resolution.   I think about the future because I have children and grandchildren, and I often wonder if the United States of America will even exist for them. The federal debt is more than $31 trillion dollars, with no end to spending in sight. This is madness!   On my behalf I want you to sponsor or co-sponsor the Convention of States resolution in the upcoming session.   Mahalo for your service to our community and state.   Your name Your address, email & phone
	Sample 3   Aloha Senator (Name) or Representative (Name),   As a veteran and supporter of Convention of States, it is clear to me that the constitution and country I swore an oath to defend is under attack.    Article V of the Constitution has been described as a safety valve put in place by our Founding Fathers. They wisely anticipated that a day would come when the federal government would become too dominant and usurp power that belongs to the states. Article V is the mechanism built into the Constitution to allow the people to take back their power and their rights through their state legislators.   Would you please tell me what your position is on this? I would also like to schedule a meeting with you to discuss this further.   Mahalo for serving our district and Hawai’i,   Your name Your address, email & phone
	Sample 4   Aloha Senator (Name) or Representative (Name),   I live in your district and support Convention of States efforts to restore liberty through term limits on federally elected and appointed bureaucrats who no longer represent me or my family’s interest.   Convention of States is for term limits of federal officials (both elected and appointed) and that would solve a lot of our problems right there because it could curtail special interest influence.   Whatever your past position on Convention of States was, I ask you to please support this effort in the coming [YEAR] legislature.   Mahalo for your service to our community and state.   Your name Your address, email & phone
	Sample 5   Aloha Senator (Name) or Representative (Name),   I’m a constituent and volunteer for Convention of States Hawai’i because it’s the only solution I can see working long term that will restore our constitutional republic.   Since Congress won’t correct itself by bringing the federal government under control, it is time we used Article V to make the corrections needed. It’s time to restore these great United States of America to what our founders intended them to be.   As an active and concerned constituent in your district. I would like to meet with you to further discuss you sponsoring or co-sponsoring our Convention of States resolution in the upcoming session.   Mahalo for your service to our community and state.   Your name Your address, email & phone

Postcards

In today's digital age, it's easy to forget the power of a handwritten note. But when it comes to civic activism, handwritten postcards can be a very effective way to reach out to legislators. Handwritten postcards may seem old-fashioned, but don't underestimate their power in civic activism. They offer a personal touch, can help you stand out from the competition, and are an excellent way to connect with your legislator on a personal level. 

Understanding the power of this concept, Convention of States has set up a VistaPrint order page that you can access to buy printed materials such as business cards and signs. One of the best buys is the COS "We Need You In the Fight" postcard. Open this link and click on the “Enter the Store” button to find the items available for you. 
 
https://conventionofstates.com/grassrootsprinting

Samples

I'm a voter and live in your district. The federal government is out of control and needs to be reined in, and I believe a Convention of States is the solution.  Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!   I'm a constituent and Convention of States supporter. One of the goals of COS is to limit federal spending and its long past time for this to happen. Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!   I live in your district and vote. I support Convention of States goal of putting term limits on federal officials and I believe a Convention of States is the only solution to this. Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!   I'm a resident in your district and vote. Convention of States supports stopping the federal government from interfering with our states’ business which I am all for. I hope you are too. Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!   I'm a concerned citizen and voter in your district. Our federal government is out of control and needs to be held accountable, only a Convention of States can accomplish this. Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!    I live in your district and vote. I support Convention of States. Hawai’i needs to get on board with this. We need to manage our own affairs without federal interference. Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!   I live and vote in your district. The national debt is over $31 trillion and I fear for my children's future. We need a Convention of States now more than ever. Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!   I'm a constituent and concerned voter. Our nation is in trouble! Unsustainable debt, over regulation, one-size-fits-all decisions are out of control. A Convention of States is the only solution. Please sponsor or co-sponsor our COS resolution!

Sample