Has anyone here actually helped change a law?

[sunandshadow]

I was thinking today about the fact that several laws exist that just make me ill, and worse there are people out there who want to pass more, and worse laws. I guess I should avoid naming a specific law here, because anything I said I'm sure someone would violently disagree with. But that's the problem really, I'm not an aggressive person.

I guess I could stand around holding a sign, or write an editorial, but I don't want to open myself up to hate phone-calls, or people vandalizing my house, and that kind of shit happens in politics all the time, because there are people on all sides who are zealous enough to be willing to fight dirty. Nor do I have money to donate to a cause so someone else can fight for it while I stay safely anonymous. I'm a writer, but I don't want to write fiction showing the negative effects of a bad law; who wants to read negative stuff?

So, is there actually anything safe and cheap I can do to work against a law I feel is harmful?

 

[SweetErika]

How about joining a group of other people who disagree with the law (now I'm really curious about what it is!) and has activities that you feel are helpful?

You could also contact your legislators with letters, calls, and even in-person meetings (if it's a state or local law) to discuss your concerns.

 

[dollface007]

Off the top of my head:

Write and/or request a meeting with your state/federal representative. Contact the ACLU (if you feel that people's civil liberties are being violated...btw, they support causes that are on both sides of the political spectrum), donate to or volunteer for a politician who is proactively supporting your position on the law, and let them know why are you contributing. Given the nature of the internet, you can probably find people who feel the same way you do about a particular law, and there may already be an organization that you can join.

From my personal experience, even when people disagree with you, they are respectful for the most part. Once you put yourself out there, it get's less and less scary. For example, I campaigned against a state gay marriage ban a few years ago and spent election day pounding the pavement to get out the vote. I felt like I was really putting my money where my mouth was, and it was ultimately rewarding. After the first strangers I talked to, it became no big deal to stick my neck out for what I believed.

 

[subwannabe]

Laws are laws for a reason. Granted, some are stupid. I don't think one person makes a law so it got passed in the first place because many people were in favor of it at the time. You've got to think realistically and open minded about any particular laws you are referring to. If there are many people who would still be in favor of that particular law, chances are you are nothing but a discontent and have no chance of changing it. However, changes can take place if the masses are in favor of changing it, but it would have to be a very huge majority. Lets take the new Health Care overhaul just for an example. More than 50% of American citizens are against the actual bill itself the way it is written and many would make your same arguement. But, the reality is 50% to 60% opposition just isn't enough to change the law so you would be wasting your time trying to change it. Once you have passed your own test in this regard and would have the support of lets say 75% or more of the voters in your area then the best thing to do would be to try and write your legislatures along with having a very huge petition to go along with it. It can be done but sometimes you just have to acknowledge that you are nothing more than a discontent.

 

[LaRocha]

I'd say you have to open yourself up for scrutiny if you really want to change a law. Legislators only care about who has money or some sort of power talking in their ear. For someone with no power who is dedicated there's really only bringing the unfairness of the law out into the open. It's a little martyr-like, but civil disobedience doesn't have to be destructive or violently confrontational. And it doesn't have to be civil disobedience, just talking and writing about it in a way that is either sensational or entirely rational seems your best bet.

 

[bambikiller]

I got a building ordiance changed once.
I was stupied and I brought it up to the head of the building department and he agreed that it was a bad ordinance because in cirtian circumstances it caused problems and didn't work.
He said he would probably change it.
Anyways I went back and he told me he decided he wasn't going to change it after all.
I got a city councellman to come out and look at the circomstances and he said "yeah that is stupied" and I said "well that your ordenance".
He brought it before the city councell and they changed it.

If it's a state law.
I'd see your state representitive.
Call make an appointment see him and state your case.

 

[Experiencedguy]

Well -- yes, you can -- but

Several years ago I found a law that was very harmful. To some - but not to all. Actually it was very benefical to the rich and powerful, and against the poor and weak. I protested very loudly, and often, to the comittee responsible for the law. We finally ended up in a federal court, and the law was changed.

The upside: It cost me very little.

The downside: It took three years, and took an awful lot of my time.

All matters that were pending at the time of the desicion were put aside, and all had to be resubmitted. In my case, it took over four years from the first decision against me to finally get resolved in my favor.

Was it worth it to me? Yes. Was it worth it for all who followed me in my shoes: You bet.

Will it be worth it to you: Unless it's important, why bother?

 

[sunandshadow]

Several years ago I found a law that was very harmful. To some - but not to all. Actually it was very benefical to the rich and powerful, and against the poor and weak. I protested very loudly, and often, to the comittee responsible for the law. We finally ended up in a federal court, and the law was changed.

The upside: It cost me very little.

The downside: It took three years, and took an awful lot of my time.

All matters that were pending at the time of the desicion were put aside, and all had to be resubmitted. In my case, it took over four years from the first decision against me to finally get resolved in my favor.

Was it worth it to me? Yes. Was it worth it for all who followed me in my shoes: You bet.

Will it be worth it to you: Unless it's important, why bother?

That was inspiring, thank you for sharing your story.

 

[culloden]

I've never changed a law, but I changed the direction a Town board was going with a major construction project. I started by writing letters to the editor and attending meetings. That was scary - putting myself and my views out there. It turned out more people agreed with me than disagreed, although it was a contentious issue. Only one person was verbally abusive, and that said a lot more about him than about me. Eventually, I ended up running for that board and winning. That changed the balance of power and the direction of the project.

Citizenship isn't easy. If people don't speak up because of fear, then the bullies win. I don't want to live in that world.