"Thank you for your thoughts on this matter, I didn't read them. Here is a boilerplate statement espousing all the great things about this bill that you specifically criticized in your message to me. Please don't reach out again."
this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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I wouldn't call it entirely pointless. I'd describe it as one of the easiest ways to be involved with politics, along with voting. It's very low commitment, and a low level of escalation/results. I highly recommend doing some training on union organizing, even if you aren't interested in organizing a union. The tradeoff between commitment and escalation is very important when determining what actions to take in all forms of organizing, including political organizing
It certainly feels entirely pointless, even more pointless than voting. It's not really being involved with politics because it doesn't really change anything. It's like writing letters to Santa Claus, except Santa is polite enough not to write back "Fuck you I won't do what you tell me."
If you really care about climate change, you should firebomb a coal power plant or take a claw hammer to a private jet. That will be far more effective and fun than writing a senator who could not give two shits what you think.
Believe it or not, there's room for both. If a meeting with a senator doesn't produce results, is it really being involved with politics, based on your criteria?
We need to do the easy stuff, and we need to do fun stuff. If you're unwilling to write an email, then that just means you're unwilling to do one of the easiest methods of political engagement.
At least if you meet with a senator you can be sure they heard you and you can flip them off in person. Emails always feel like screaming into the void and expecting it to care.
Trust me, hearing isn't the same as understanding. Senators, executives, billionaires, etc are all the same. They're used to their power and they are unwilling to actually understand people like us. Organizing direct action will always be more effective than voting or writing emails. I know from lived experience that direct action is best. But civic engagement also involves the easy stuff, so it shouldn't be written off as pointless
Ok I firebombed a power plant but now the warden says I'm not allowed to call my senator (or anyone else) and two thirds of the public associates climate activism with terrorism, what next?
Break out. Do it again.