HANDLING YOUR CONGRESS MEMBER
In a past Grassroots Corner I wrote that some Congress Members co-sponsor the FAIRtax because co-sponsorship is the right thing to do. Most Members, however, co-sponsor the FAIRtax only when they become concerned about re-election if they do not. How, then, should one approach the Member who needs “encouragement?”
The answer depends partly on the strength of your grassroots organization in your Congressional District. For sure, it is always important to have a relationship with your Congress Member and his or her staff. If your organization is strong, you can take a more aggressive approach such a openly criticizing the Member for not co-sponsoring the FAIRtax. If your Member is already a co-sponsor, but does not openly advocate for the FAIRtax, a strong organization can take the Member to task. If that Member praises your group for the work you are doing, and encourages you to keep on, but then “clams up” on the FAIRtax, a strong District organization can openly criticize the Member. Other District organizations, or single members, need to be more conciliatory.
President Steve Hayes and the Georgia FAIRtax team are working on talking points for Members to use. Giving your Member talking points could improve your relationship and move your Member towards doing what you want him or her to do. One example of a talking point could be: “There is a bill I’m on that would address imbalance in trade.” Let me know if you want a copy of the talking points when the Team is finished.
Meanwhile, let us help you grow your local team so that you can go from conciliatory to aggressive. Request a Protected Assets Agreement, and we can release to you your segment of the support base.
A NEW CANDIDATE
Pictured with me is Libertarian Congressional Candidate, Ryan Martinez. Ryan is running for the seat being vacated by Congress Member Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ-11, who is retiring. Ryan supports the FAIRtax but needs to feel more comfortable in speaking publicly about it before he announces and signs the FAIRtax Candidate Pledge.
Jim Bennett, L, Ryan Martinez, R
We need your pictures and news. If you have anything to share, please send your material to me at jim.bennett@fairtax.org, or text me at (908) 578-4975. When others see your activity, they are inspired, and the process snowballs. When the process snowballs, Congress Members and Senators and, yes, even the President start to listen.