Treat public servants with dignity and respect. They are, with few exceptions, forthright, shrewd, and eager to do what’s right. It’s on you to convince them that what you think is correct is indeed right.
Don’t be cynical. Politics and government may have flaws, but so do all other fields. Disdain is a costly luxury these days since it taints the community and dampens the motivation to improve things for the greater good. Those who want to live on an island should not fight against their water source. Another option is the Sam Rayburn dictum, “Never spit chewing tobacco on the cake you want to eat yourself.” In a nutshell, despite how often we trash-talk it, the political process is still our greatest shot at making positive societal shifts.
Try to see things from others’ perspectives. Consider the situation from the perspective of a public servant. Learn as much as you can about his or her predicament, mindset, and goals.
Take an approachable stance. Do not wait until you need assistance before contacting governmental officials. Make an effort to stay in touch with them all year long, every year.
Act sensibly. Respect the fact that reasonable people can hold reasonably different viewpoints. Indulge in threatening behaviour never.
Be thoughtful. Comment on the right things public authorities do.
Be generous. If you haven’t done a thorough job of planning, presenting, and following through, you can be to blame if public authorities don’t accomplish what you wanted. Voting is a guaranteed opportunity to have your voice heard by all elected officials.
Be constructive. You don’t want to be reprimanded, pestered or preached to. Nor do government officials. Instead of just complaining, offer an alternate solution, perspective, or formula.
Have patience and persistence. Keep in mind that legislation and regulation that causes contention typically results in a compromise that no one side of the argument finds ideal. Even though it takes longer to see results, progress that is made little by bit is still progress, and the larger base of support it generates via its gradual ascent may make it even more permanent.
Try to avoid idealistic ideals. Keep in mind that legislators have lives outside of the legislature and that there is always some degree of vote dealing going on. In the event that a politician who usually backs you votes against one of your legislation, you shouldn’t scold them. That doesn’t necessarily indicate that they’re done with your full software. Be generous with your benefit of the doubt, and the lawmaker will remember you for it. And keep in mind that, while some voters may be set in their ways, there will be others on both sides of the aisle who may be persuaded by convincing arguments if they are given in a clear and convincing manner and backed up by solid evidence.
Try to be a worthy foe. Take on the causes, not the people.
Learn the facts. Get your task done. Trying to convince a public figure to take your side just because you want them to is unlikely to succeed. Maintain your honesty. Be reliable and follow through on commitments. Keep your word if you make a promise to a government official.
Show your loyalty. After publicly encouraging an official to take a position, you should never abandon the official by altering your stance.
Think things through and make an assessment: Many measures are introduced in the legislature “by request” but are never meant to pass. Don’t lambast legislators every time a new measure is filed, and hold off on sounding the alarm until you know something is truly going on in the legislative arena.
Try to maintain your privacy. Being a part of debates over whether or not legislators can be “bought” or “paid off” is pointless at best. You have absolutely nothing to gain and everything to lose by such guesses. Furthermore, there is a very strong possibility that it is not true.
Extend kindness. Remember that with success everyone may take credit. As Senator Wayne Morse used to tell his colleagues in the years when federal education legislation was extraordinarily difficult to enact: “Victory has a thousand fathers; loss is an orphan.” Policymakers should be thanked for their successes as often as they are questioned about their failures. Send a message letting them know you will be keeping tabs on their performance.
Aspire to be a visionary. Especially in the realm of politics, there is hardly ever a total and complete loss. Having a member fail might lead you to a more suitable champion. Committee defeat is not necessarily final on the legislative floor. It’s not uncommon for a chamber’s debate to contradict its counterpart. In a conference committee, victory may be snatched from the jaws of defeat. Further, etc. Put in the effort, and don’t give up. “Everything cometh to him who waiteth, as long as he who waiteth in the interim worketh like hell,” said the great Charlie Chan.