5 Ways to Influence Congress and Reset the Political Agenda

Many people believe that, as individuals, we have very little control over the creation and correction of laws and the political agenda in the United States. This is not true. With the proper methods, it is possible to get almost any issue on the political agenda. Below are five ways in which everyday citizens can have a big impact upon national politics.

Face-to-Face Contact-The most influential way to affect Congress and control the political agenda is by actually meeting with members of Congress. By meeting with Senators, you are able to tell them your concerns and why they concern you, without having to worry about your message being changed in the chain of communication, or being thrown out with the rest of the junk mail. Unfortunately, the people who receive the most face-to-face contact with Senators and other members of Congress are the highest donators. If you can commit large amounts of money to a campaign, you are almost guaranteed some face time.

Going Public through the Media-Congress often uses public opinion as a factor in setting their political agenda. By getting lots of exposure through major media outlets, public opinion on important issues is formed by United States citizens. This brings the issue to the attention of Congress, and often some sort of action or bill is proposed in regards to the issue. Not only is media exposure a good way to get Congress to take an interest in your cause, it's also good for recruiting new supporters from citizens who share the same concerns you do.

Litigation-By taking a case to court, issues you are involved with have to face some sort of judgment. One of the largest groups who utilize this method is the NAACP-the majority of the money they have is spent on court cases. Decisions made by judges on tricky issues creates precedence. This precedence will greatly improve the chances of similar cases receiving similar decisions from future judges. However, this method does not directly affect Congress, but high profile cases can receive great media attention, thus getting on the Congressional agenda.

Voting -One of the simplest forms of expressing your political concerns is voting. Find out what's on the ballot, and go tell the government how you feel about the issue. Voting can be very effective if done in large numbers; find others who support your cause, and urge them to vote. However, voting only affects issues introduced by politicians. If you want your issue brought to attention, you should try one of the other methods.

Grassroots Campaigns-Grassroots campaigns start with the public. American citizens form groups based around an issue they're concerned about, and proceed to have demonstrations, spread information, create boycotts, etc., until their issues receive attention. This method can be really effective if you are also able to gain widespread media coverage. All people have the right to assemble as long as you make sure everyone in your group abides by local and federal laws.

It may seem like a tough task, but you do have the ability to get your issues noticed, and voice your concerns to Congress. A combination of the above mentioned methods can get your cause put on the agenda.