10,000 Letters Coalition

[Desert Liberal]

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't been around much. My life has been topsy-turvy lately. This is not a new state of affairs but it does seem to be more pronounced lately...:eyes:
Anyway, a new coalition in the state of Missouri has been formed. We want to send 10,000 letters to Matt Blunt telling him that we oppose his wasteful Special Session to try to push an anti-choice bill. We want to tell him (since this Session is a foregone conclusion) to focus on real issues that are facing Missourians, i.e. Single-Payer health care, energy needs, or even how to fund this 'education' bill that has NO FUNDING.
I have not been able to go back to St. Louis to attend the Coalition meetings but I have been kept abreast with emails of the meeting minutes. I am spreading the word in SW MO and trying to collect letters in this part of the state so that we may truly have a statewide initiative. I will be posting a sample letter template and talking points (as well a the Coalition website) as soon as I have that info. It should be sometime this week.
We plan to deliver these letters either Sept. 12 or 14 (to coincide with the beginning of the session). I'm sincerely hoping you all can help me. We would prefer these letters be handwritten and signed so that each is completely unique. To submit a letter, please contact me and I will give you a physical address to send your letters to. You can reach me at aundria(dot)sgf(dot)dfa(at)gmail(dot)com.
If any of you can take this proposal to groups you know about, please do so. Every organization that joins is one more facet of Missouri that Matt Blunt cannot continue to ignore!

[kiteinthewind]

1. Letters Coalition

That is a great project! I have a couple of groups that I could talk to about helping out with these letters-God knows, someone has to start doing something to stop this SINFUL "compassionate Christian". One of my groups doesn't meet again until Sept. 7th, but I could take pens, papers, and talking points to the meeting and then mail them to you. I will watch for the 'sample' letter! :thumbsup:

[Desert Liberal]

2. WOOHOO!!!

We need all the help we can get! Thanks so much for volunteering and WELCOME TO DU!!!
:party: :toast: :hi: :pals:

[usregimechange]

3. Hi aundria, from SWMO4P

:hi:

[Desert Liberal]

4. Hi there!

I'm really looking forward to working with you guys. Here's to the start of a beautiful coalition! :toast: :party: :patriot:

[Desert Liberal]

5. Sample Letter and Talking Points for The 10,000 Letters Coalition

Here is the sample letter and talking points. There is also an address at the bottom to send the letters to.

Sample Letter

Dear Governor Blunt,

I am opposed to the 2005 special legislative session because it is a waste of time and money for the state of Missouri.

INSERT YOUR SELECTED TALKING POINT(S) HERE!

Therefore, I request that you stop wasting legislators’ time and taxpayer money and reconsider your insistence on calling a special session of the Missouri legislature.

Sincerely,
(Signature)
Address
City, State, Zip





Talking Points

CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THESE POINTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR HANDWRITTEN LETTER.



It is wasteful to spend taxpayer money when the state is facing a budget crisis. This special session will cost an estimated $100,000 per week at a time when the legislature has cut funding for vital programs such as Medicaid. The money wasted on a special session would be better spent educating our children or providing critical services for Missourians.


A special session should be reserved for pressing issues of statewide concern that cannot wait until the next legislative session. The single bill that will be the focus of the special session is not at all urgent and certainly does not merit such extraordinary attention.


It is a waste of a special session to have one because you want to appeal to controversy and manufacture a crisis for personal political gain. The calling of this special session is an obvious attempt to salvage the Governor’s tarnished political image. Despite the fact that 2005 is not an election year, Missourians are paying attention and we will remember what you do in 2005 when we visit the polls in 2006 & 2008.


It is a waste to have a special session if the proposed goal of the session is not effective. If your agenda is to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies in Missouri, then your efforts should be focused on restoring family planning funding and retaining medically correct information on contraception in sex education programs.





Step One—Grab some paper and a pen and use the opening sentence from the sample letter above.

Step Two—Select one (or more) of the talking points and copy it into your letter. Feel free to change the words around and make it your own.

Step Three—Insert the closing sentence and sign your name. Be sure to include your address, so Governor Blunt knows you are indeed a Missouri resident.

Step Four—Mail your letter to:
10,000 Letters
P.O. Box 873
St. Peters, MO 63376

Step Five—Tell all your friends about the 10,000 Letters Campaign and how powerful a message a handwritten letter sends! Or better yet, forward them the link to our website: www.10ThousandLetters.org

Want to make an even greater impact? Send a copy of your letter to your state representative and/or state senator. Visit www.housemo.gov to find who your elected officials are.

[leftofcenter71]

6. I am in...

I am only one person but I will have it in the mail to you no later than Monady Aug 22

[kiteinthewind]

7. Blunt Special Session starts Sept.6

Aundria75, I just read the article in the Star. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/12410379.htm My large group doesn't meet until the day after the session starts. I will do a letter this week and get some of my other group on it and mail them out to you next week. If he is TRULY interested in decreasing the number of abortions, why doesn't he give the community organizations back their family planning grant money. By pulling all of that, women who need free or cheap access to contraception are left out in the cold=more unplanned pregnancies=more abortions. They are shooting themselves in the foot. Not too bright!! :think: