Open Letter | Senate | Representatives | Free to Use | USA Politics

Rogering My Reps

An open letter, trying to channel the voice of Mr. Fred Rogers, to representatives in Congress. You’re welcome to copy/modify it to send to your Reps as well! ❤

Hello wonderful people! (Friend link).

I’ve been trying to keep up with the whirlwind of political decline, but my Sanity can only handle so much at a time. I’ve been kicking off terse emails regularly to my representatives, but have only gotten automated replies from one of them back. And a single disturbing reply of dogmatic rhetoric that had nothing at all to do with what I’d written about.

I thought it was time to change tactics. When they voted to ax PBS, I was reminded of this video wherein Fred Rogers stood before Congress and plead his case for the need of PABS programs. That man can make anyone cry. So, with that soft voice speaking comfortingly in my head, I attempted to write a general letter to be used on all of Congress, as needed.

❤ You DO have my permission to copy and modify this, as you see fit, in order to send it to your House and Senate representatives! ❤

Please, we need to keep fighting, because evil will never relent!

Hello. I wanted to start out by saying, how much I appreciate all the hard work you’re doing. It must be very difficult job to do, with all those meetings to discuss important matters, bills to write, bills to read and revise, constituents to look after, and still managing to find time to take care of yourself.

There are a lot of very big decisions to be made in Congress. Sometimes they’re easier to make than others, but all of them require due consideration from every angle, and I trust you are doing that as well as you can. We understand that no one is perfect, and that’s why we have colleagues to reach out to. Getting another person’s opinion can sometimes help to shed light on a difficult situation. It can help you make the best decision possible for all of the people who are trusting you, as I am, to put their best interests forward into policies. It’s a very big responsibility, but your constituents are always here to support and guide you.

I know sometimes Congress can be scary. Sometimes there are clauses in a Bill that can be detrimental to the people you represent. Sometimes other Congressfolk can be pushy about getting you to vote for what they want. Maybe it’s the President who gets pushy, or maybe its people you consider your friends. Remember that it’s you who makes the decisions. No one else can sign your name, no one else can stand up for your constituents.

Just remember, in times when you feel pressured to do something you’re unsure about, you can always fall back to asking what the people you represent would like you to do. Because in the end, it’s the People who matter the most. It’s the people who have chosen to trust you to represent their best interests in Congress. It’s the people who will support your decisions, and it’s the people who will be hurt by them.

Take a moment to breathe a little. Reach out to the people who have put their faith in you, ask them how they would like you to represent them in Congress, and do your best to put their wishes first and foremost into any legislation you come across. Remember that you have been chosen by them to carry this burden, and that they’re available to help you carry it. We are ultimately, the only voices you should be listening to.

It can be difficult to remember this, all the way over in Washington, but that’s why communication is all the more important. It doesn’t matter what your colleagues say, or what the President says, or what your religion says. Just focus on what your People are saying, and let that alone be your guide.

I hope this letter has managed to help you think a bit more clearly. It can be very difficult to remember such simple things as listening, when you’re in a room full of people shouting. Remember that these big decisions you’re making now will effect people for many many years to come. It’s well-worth thinking over each decision before it’s made, and your constituents are here to help you make the right choice.

Remember to take care of yourself too. Perhaps rest for a day before attending a Town Hall, or perhaps take a walk in your district and reconnect with the people who’ve put their trust in you face-to-face. Remember that everyone makes mistakes; it’s how we rectify them that matters. I believe that you will find a way to serve all of your constituents in the best manner possible. Thank you.

And thank you gentle Reader, for reading this! Warm hugs all around ❤

Fred Rodgers on the set of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Photo from NPR Ed cropped by author.