Military Family Legislative Action Guide - (Page 10) MYtHs AND cHALLeNGes Myth #1: Military people aren’t allowed to contact their legislators. TRUTH: Nonsense. Military members and families have the same right as every other citizen to contact their elected representatives, and your legislators need to hear your views on the issues as much as any other constituent’s. Myth #2: Military people can get in trouble if they (or their family) contact Congress. TRUTH: Writing to support a bigger Army (to cut deployed time) or improved compensation or benefits isn’t the same as writing to complain about a supervisor or a military assignment (the latter are more appropriate for the chain of command). Military people can’t use their official positions to lobby Congress, but individual members and families shouldn’t hesitate to express their personal views on what they want their legislators to support. Myth #3: My legislators don’t care what I have to say. TRUTH: If you were an elected official, wouldn’t you want to hear from your constituents – especially if a wrong action could cost you their votes? Without lots of constituent input from people like you, it’s hard for organizations like MOAA to convince Congress that an issue needs fixing. MYTHS MYTHS 10
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