Now is the time — Submit a “letter to the editor”!

I want to encourage all of our readers to submit a “letter to the editor” in the next 30-40 days. The November 6 election is fast approaching, and publishing a letter to the editor is a great way to get potential voters motivated to get out and vote Democratic. In my letters, I typically try to appeal to all voters, including Democrats, Republicans and Independents – after all, many pundits tell us that  Independent and swing voters often determine an election.  I’m happy to say that in the last four months I’ve had letters published in the “Cape Gazette” and “News Journal”. For the “Cape Gazette” (letters sometimes reach up to 350 words), email your letter to newsroom@capegazette.com . For the “News Journal” (letter must be 250 words or less) –*Go to http://www.delawareonline.com/ ….*Click on “Opinion.”…..*Click on “Send a Letter to the Editors.”…..*Then copy and paste.

I’d like to share the letter I will soon be submitting to both papers:

Republican Politicians Not in the American Mainstream

Presidential candidate Romney clearly wants us to see him as a “severely conservative” politician (his own words). Further, the Republican Party platform underscores his extreme positions — the New York Times noted that 2012’s platform, compared to past platforms, has taken a “sharp turn to right”. Here’s a sampling –

*Repeal the Affordable Health Care Act; Create a constitutional amendment that would leave states free to adopt abortion bans without exceptions; Direct Congress to prohibit the EPA from moving forward with new greenhouse gas regulations

*End Medicare as we know it – replace it with a voucher system; Replace family planning programs for teens with abstinence education

*Describes court decisions recognizing same-sex marriage as “an assault on the foundations of our society,”; Opposes gun legislation that would limit “the capacity of clips or magazines”

Our current “do-nothing” congress, energized by tea-party Republicans, is another example of how extremism is hurting America’s progress.  This 112^th congress’ productivity (passing laws) is at historically low levels and Gallup noted that this Congress set a record for unpopularity in February when Americans gave it a 10 percent approval rating.

Romney’s tax plan has been described as Bush’s tax policies on steroids – sound extreme?  We are now facing very tough times, and radical right-wing tax/budget policies that would severely curtail support systems and safety-net protections for working/middle-class families would cause additional suffering for millions of Americans. Vote for Democratic candidates on November 6 — they offer a balanced, judicious approach and will support working/middle-class families.

Sincerely yours,  Dennis B.  –  then add your address and telephone #

Probably the best tidbit of advice I can offer is to write your draft copy, and then let it set for 3-4 days — review it each of those days for possible revisions before you send it to the editor.

If you are seeking information, commentary and resources that will inform, inspire and motivate you to submit a letter, consider the following starting points:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ — a comprehensive online newspaper with a progressive slant that offers articles and blogs galore – one pertinent link will lead you to many more related links

http://mediamatters.org/ — a great media fact-checking site, one that especially relishes exposing the lies and hypocrisy of FOX “news”

The MSNBC pundits, on weekdays 7 to 11, offer solid commentary on many issues.

I also hope that my blog and my letters inspire you and motivate you to send a letter to the editor.