Contact Information for Your National, State and Local Elected Officials, and the Media Outlets that Report on Them

One of the most important things we can do is hold our elected officials accountable for their words, promises and actions. Let them know what's important to you, what you would like done. Tell them what you need and what concerns you. Ask them for the services and support your community needs.

Many officials are truly concerned about their constituents and want to know what they need and want so that they can make it happen. Most officials want to be elected again so they will respond to you and to your concerns so that you will re-elect them. Do not hesitate to write, call, or e-mail your representatives. Here's some information on how to do that:

* Write the President Bush at president@whitehouse.gov or visit www.whitehouse.gov for mailing and telephone information.

* Visit www.senate.gov to find out who your US senators are and how to contact them.

* Visit www.house.gov to find out who your US representatives are and how to contact them.

* For state legislators and other officials, and for local offices, visit http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/?lvl=L to find names and contact information.

Call them! Write them! Let them know what's on your mind. Their job is to listen to you. And if they don't do so, you have the power to fire them. I recognize that it can be a challenge to keep up with it of the actions of our representatives, but as citizens it is our responsibility to hold our representatives accountable. In fact, we should speak up on all sorts of things. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. So if you want things to change in your neighborhood, your town, your state or your country, say so! Here are some ways to make your voice heard:

* Visit http://www.capwiz.com/pfaw/issues/basics/?style=comm for some tips on how best to communicate with you representatives, whether by phone, mail, or e-mail.

* Visit http://www.capwiz.com/pfaw/issues/ for a list of legislation, issues, and upcoming votes in the US Congress.

* Use your zip code to search http://www.capwiz.com/pfaw/dbq/media/ for the names and contact information of local and national media outlets. Write or call your local newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations with comments, suggestions, questions or letters to the editor.

* Visit Factcheck.org to get the truth about what your representatives are doing. Then, you'll be better prepared to talk to them.

Speak up! And claim the services and treatment you and your family and your community deserve.

"Nothing is worse than active ignorance." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe