Comments on: Letters to Congress https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/ Something Can Be Done About It Tue, 28 Dec 2021 17:15:16 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Connie Mack https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-447398 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 17:15:16 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-447398 Please, please, please! Take this issue seriously! Please DO THE MOST YOU CAN TO PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS FROM THIS REAL ESTATE BUYING CULT!

]]> By: georgemwhite https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-409681 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 20:49:26 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-409681 In reply to Jere Lull.

you obviously do not live in Florida.

]]> By: Jere Lull https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-409624 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 15:08:20 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-409624 In reply to georgemwhite.

George, that was RUDE! I doubt Scott or Rubio will ever see those missives. It might be entirely true, but it doesn’t help if no one with any power sees it.

]]> By: Jere Lull https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-409621 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 15:04:03 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-409621 In reply to Adam.

emails are one thing, but if they receive too many of exactly the same letter, they can be sent to the trash & shredded —unread—with a simple filter. Any other email that is too boring or ignorant will be deleted with a keystroke.
Emails are too easy/cheap to send. The more impactful message is a real letter, sent via snail mail. Make it easy to read, of course. Short, sweet, and to the point without insulting or threatening anyone. (other than scientology, of course)
Neatly handwritten of course makes it known you really care.

]]> By: Adam https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-394469 Sat, 22 May 2021 03:06:38 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-394469 Writing to your elected representative is important, but make it count. Their office may receive hundreds if not thousands of letters and emails each week. The staff probably do their best but long letters may only get glanced at. Repeat letters might at best be logged as stats on a spreadsheet, and probably only if they are particularly interested in that issue.

Keep your letter to 2 pages max, 1 is better. Make it relatatable and highlight just the important facts. Relate it to something in the news cycle. Give them something that they could quote in a doorstop or press release.

Also target the right people. Committee chairs may have more staff to examine the issue in more detail. Politicians who have an interest in the issue may also be more receptive.

]]> By: Carrie https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-394412 Fri, 21 May 2021 16:26:56 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-394412 Thank you for providing these and for all of the work you are doing to fight Scientology. I’ve recently read Leah’s book, watched Aftermath and started the podcast. I am embarrassed that I didn’t know or do more. I have since reported to the IRS using the complaint form and will be writing to my congress people as well. I cannot believe this “church” continues to have tax-exempt status and was able to apply for and accept PPP loans during a pandemic when so many small businesses that really need the funds have suffered. I hope to see change going forward! Keep up your work!

]]> By: Jonathan https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-394158 Wed, 19 May 2021 15:50:01 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-394158 In reply to Nowhere Man.

Mike is right. Tax status of any religion has no bearing on the First Amendment. Whether any organization (whether it is a valid religion or not) is subject to tax does not prevent them from establishment and practice.

If anything, the IRS determining what is and isn’t a religion is more the violation, and there should be no exemptions at all for anyone.

]]> By: Mike Rinder https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-394082 Wed, 19 May 2021 00:03:41 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-394082 In reply to Nowhere Man.

I agree that addressing anyone you are asking to help you as worthless is self-defeating.

It is NOT a violation of the First Amendment to ask that the IRS review their determination that scientology qualified for tax exemption as a religious organization. If that was the case, it was a violation of the Constitution to grant it in the first place.

]]> By: Nowhere Man https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-394072 Tue, 18 May 2021 23:15:43 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-394072 You don’t address a rep with a snarky term such as “worthless” if you expect to get anywhere, no matter how much you dislike them. Believe me I do not like Rubio one bit. They are supposed to be addressed with “Honorable” but if you don’t care to, just omit it.

It’s also an intrusion into religion to ask Congress to do something like this, since the Constitution states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

It would be a dangerous precedent and harm other religions.

]]> By: Episode 41: Law Review Author Taylor Holley https://www.mikerindersblog.org/letters-to-congress/#comment-394040 Tue, 18 May 2021 13:35:52 +0000 https://www.mikerindersblog.org/?p=2610594#comment-394040 […] talk in this episode about what people can do and what the government should do. Yesterday, I published some example letters to Congress. If you want to do something, these letters might be helpful to you. And I would also recommend […]

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