Online Tools to Ease Civic Action

Posted by Marisa Palmieri

This industry cares about what goes on in Washington, I know it does.

And it should -- converters (and all U.S. manufacturers, really) need all the help they can get to stay afloat.

The National Association of Manufacturers has some neat tools to help you carry out your civic duties in just a few mouse clicks.

One of them is an elected official finder, which allows you to type in your zip code, an official's name, or your state to identify legislators in your area and to see how they've vote on issues that matter to you. Use this tool to do your homework before you go to the polls, so you can support manufacturing with the most powerful ammunition you've got -- your vote.

Another helpful online NAM function is a user-friendly tool that allows you to formulate a letter to send to elected officials. First you click on the topic that interests you (like the expired R&D credit, the energy supply, rising health care costs, etc.). Next you type in your contact details. The system creates a form letter including the nuts and bolts of your chosen topic, it allows you to add information and edit if desired, and also suggests officials in your area to send it to. You may send the letter automatically through the system, or print it out to send it yourself.

Bookmark these links. Send them to your peers. Tell your employees abou them. What do you have to lose?