We're talking amongst ourselves, agreeing with each other. This letter is targeted at us, not congressmen.
I am almost certain every letter any MPAA lobbyist sends to any congressman does not call the congressman a "jack-ass" in the second paragraph. Or any paragraph at all. I tentatively suggest we might have more success if we do the same.
What do congressmen want? Influence, votes and praise. What are we doing? Criticising ("stupid", "jackass", "corrupt", "ignorant") and telling them how to do their jobs. ("They should X, they should Y"). Naturally any congressman will feel defensive as soon as they read our "internet engineer" writing.
I propose a three point plan, to ensure the long-term security of our internet:
1. Tell congressman how important they are, because our personal freedoms and privacy are at risk, and they are the only ones who can protect us.
(Rather than important because they protect content owners from piracy, or being important because of some potential job at Universal when they retire)
2. Offer congressman the choice of being "Defender of personal freedom/privacy" vs "Distributor's stooge".
(Rather than champion of artists' rights vs protector of pirates)
3. Educate public of SOPA and tell congressman how many votes they are going to get by defending the public against the SOPA law that cracks down on small businesses on the internet, many of which are operated by your everyday man.
I'm sure every congressman, when first elected, thought to themselves about how they are going to change the way the government works and always represent the best interests of the people. I suggest we re-ignite this vision that exists in every congressman.
EDIT: I just realised I'm republican, with all my talk of "freedom", "privacy" and "small businesses". :)
It bothers me how, when writing my congressman, the advice is almost always to write in terms of how business will be affected. Sure, that's important, but what about freedom? It's as if citing freedom as a reason to do or not do something is too "abstract" when compared with a predicted effect on business.
Lobbyists have an easier time doing messaging. Because they represent only a few people who let them do all the talking, they rarely have to worry about someone on their side making them look bad.
I am almost certain every letter any MPAA lobbyist sends to any congressman does not call the congressman a "jack-ass" in the second paragraph. Or any paragraph at all. I tentatively suggest we might have more success if we do the same.
What do congressmen want? Influence, votes and praise. What are we doing? Criticising ("stupid", "jackass", "corrupt", "ignorant") and telling them how to do their jobs. ("They should X, they should Y"). Naturally any congressman will feel defensive as soon as they read our "internet engineer" writing.
I propose a three point plan, to ensure the long-term security of our internet:
1. Tell congressman how important they are, because our personal freedoms and privacy are at risk, and they are the only ones who can protect us.
(Rather than important because they protect content owners from piracy, or being important because of some potential job at Universal when they retire)
2. Offer congressman the choice of being "Defender of personal freedom/privacy" vs "Distributor's stooge".
(Rather than champion of artists' rights vs protector of pirates)
3. Educate public of SOPA and tell congressman how many votes they are going to get by defending the public against the SOPA law that cracks down on small businesses on the internet, many of which are operated by your everyday man.
I'm sure every congressman, when first elected, thought to themselves about how they are going to change the way the government works and always represent the best interests of the people. I suggest we re-ignite this vision that exists in every congressman.
EDIT: I just realised I'm republican, with all my talk of "freedom", "privacy" and "small businesses". :)