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This tip is too
important to number. Learn
how to contact your president, senators, representatives, governor, state
and local officials. These people monitor letters and emails very carefully,
and act accordingly. On our
Government "LINKS" page we provide
links for you to contact these people and many more. Don't complain to the
neighbor about the world. Contact an elected official who has some
responsibility for your problem. I sent three out just yesterday in just a
few minutes. A few weeks ago I sent one to our city mayor---and he called
me. |
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1. When approaching governmental agencies,
remember WE THE PEOPLE are being
served. Sometimes it seems the other way around, but don't give in to
that attitude. If you are handled that way, find someone else.
Not
arrogantly, but in a businesslike
and friendly way. Very little is gained in this world with arrogance,
but a friendly
quiet smile attracts a lot of
attention. |
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2. Be cautious in accepting "no" for an answer.
It is easier for a government worker to say "no", because
it
requires less follow up work.
If you feel you have a case, either try with that person again, or find
someone else. Sometimes "no" is the ultimate answer, but
don't allow it to be the first and
final answer. This all applies to private businesses as well as
government. |
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3. Sometimes your
elected official must be your
final recourse. There's nothing like that fear of "losing a vote" to spur
action. |
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4.
Find a very helpful,
friendly person at your county "Agency on Aging" (Go to
links/government and click
your state on the map to help find your agency) Make an
appointment with that person. In that appointment ask for guidance on
any program, offer, facility, fund, booklet, website that might help
you survive as a Senior. You may be amazed at what is out there.
Please report it
back to us if you find
something great. |
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5. Read the news and let
your representative, senator, or president know how you feel. I
have two search bars on my computer: Google and Yahoo. They
each have a news tab
you can click. You can also get the very latest news on this
Senior Ark site on the
news page. I follow the news a couple
times a day. When I support, or am unhappy with something I see a
government official doing, I
immediately email my feelings to that person. Many elected
officials actually have people who just monitor and count emails in
favor of or opposed to a position they are taking. Go to
links/government to
find out how easy it is to email a government official. Remember,
they really pay attention to
someone who has taken the time to express an individual
opinion.
Google and Yahoo Toolbars
Simply click "search" on either one of these bars, once you have
downloaded and installed them, and a "news" option will appear! ( Get
the Google Toolbar or the
Yahoo Toolbar ) |
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6.
Call the local police
department on yourself !! (Just kidding.) What you want to do is
invite a policeman to come by your home to look at your doors, windows
etc. Get suggestions on how to
protect yourself from intruders. Make a policeman your friend.
The police will remember your diligence, and will probably glance at
your home more often as they drive by. (When they come, be sure to
hide the drugs Seniors---Just kidding again) |
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Call the fire department
and ask someone to come by to point out safety hazards. Believe me,
they really do want to come out. |
8.
BEWARE of people offering to
give you Medicare information for a price. 99.9% of the time
this information is available FOR FREE. These people are looking to
make a buck off of you by selling you convenience.
For that matter,
any information pertaining
to government policies or programs is free. Don't fall for
the hype! Rivahcat - Virginia
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9. Unsnarl bureaucratic red tape.
Tips on Dealing With Bureaucracy |
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10. Chances are your state has programs
of various types that could be of great value to you----if only you
knew about them. Often programs are approved with little fanfare. Go
to Government Links and
click your state. Spend some time clicking around your state website,
especially the Senior areas. You may find something valuable there.
The same can be said for the Federal sites on that page. |
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Seniors are waiting
for your tip here.  Or submit a
useful link for a links section. |
