Lawmakers consider themselves accountable only to their constituents—the voters who can vote them out—that's YOU!
If you’re planning to contact the President and your legislator (Sen. Specter & Casey, Rep. Fattah or others appropriate to your address), here’s a ranking of how seriously they take your contact.

Lawmakers believe the more effort you put into something, the more likely it is that you represent many others who don’t have time or will to contact them.

1.  Most effective: Schedule a personal appointment at the district office of the legislator.
It doesn’t matter if you meet with the legislator or an aide, or how long the meeting is. Personal contact is assumed to represent a slew of voters. Be very clear on your position—you don't have to have a ton of details, just a clear opinion on what you think is important about healthcare reform.
2.  Write a longhand letter.
Put the key point in the first paragraph, and make sure your name and address are clear. If you can put in a personal anecdote, that’s even better.
3.  Type a letter.  Again, the more personal, the better.
4.  Send a postcard.  Any real postcard, not a form from a group.
5.  Sign a form letter that you print out from an organization and mail directly to the legislator.
6.  Send a personal email.
Make sure to include your position in the subject line (e.g., "Pass healthcare reform with a public option").
7.  Send an email copying a group's format.
8.  Go on the legislator’s website (see www.house.gov or www.senate.gov) and go to the “Contact” page—often there is a specific list of issues to comment on. Select the issue and put as much personal information in the box as you can.
9.  The least you can do: Sign a petition (online or in person makes little difference—the legislator's aides simply tally up what's presented).

[Click here to read about how to contact holdout Senators--those Democrats who've expressed opposition to public option in the final bill. It doesn't matter whether you live in their states or not--call them NOW!]

Addresses:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
www.whitehouse.gov

The Hon. Chaka Fattah

U.S. House of Representatives

6632 Germantown Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19119

215 848-9386

www.fattah.house.gov

(If you are not sure if Fattah is your Representative, go to www.house.gov and it will help you find your Representative using your zip code with the extra 4 numbers)