Writing to elected officials won't work if it is coming from ordinary citizens. It has to come from business or financial supporters of the elected official.
One of the reasons it doesn't work is the tired old reasons we give for needing to go metric. They need to hear more from businesses complaining of the cost to them of being in the middle and a need for legislation (maybe even something specific) to help alleviate the hardships. Enough letters like that with a few promises for financial support for their campaign will get some action going. That is how it must work. Euric ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Elwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, 2004-09-02 15:10 Subject: [USMA:30977] Re: Fwd: Re: America's progress > At 2 09 04, 12:07 PM, Jason Darfus wrote: > >Forgot to mention that I also have written to my representatives in > >Congress voicing my support, and asking for their support, of the upcoming > >FPLA amendment proposal. If you have further suggestions, please voice > >them so that we can all be more effective. > > Off the top of my head (additional items invited): > > 1. write to elected officials supporting metric legislation > > 2. write to media supporting metrication and explaining its benefits > > 3. write to manufacturers praising them when they use metric > > 4. write to manufacturers politely chiding them when they do not use metric > > 5. metricate your own life (thermostats, cooking, etc.) > > 6. gently tell others of the benefits of "going metric" > > 7. JOIN THE USMA > > 8. write editorials promoting metrication and send them to trade journals > of your profession > > 9. get a CMS or CAMS certification from the USMA to give "weight" to your > opinions > > 10. promote metric in any volunteer activities you do > > 11. volunteer to help the USMA in some capacity (e.g., become an expert on > FPLA legislation, review upcoming legislation for pro/anti metric content, > etc.) > > 12. promote metric in your job, to your coworkers, to your boss > > 13. ask your employer to join the USMA as a corporate member > > 14. where you have a choice, buy metric products, even if they cost a bit more > > 15. if you're a metric pessimist, keep your mouth shut -- complaining only > makes our job harder > > 16. volunteer to coach or tutor at local science fairs or high schools > > Any other ideas? > > Jim >
