How to influence state legislatures and regulatory agencies.

Seemingly few people today understand the context in which American citizens influence the United States government. Among the many consequences of this widespread lack of understanding is a distorted public perception of the role of advocacy in the government. “Self-interest is the engine of government,” said James Madison. The framers of the Constitution realized that those who hold legislative office and those who petition government would be doing so, not for the common good, but in pursuit of their own particular self-interests. In 1798 Thomas Jefferson wrote: “In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” The "chains of the Constitution" to which he referred were the various structural devices—federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and ultimately, the ability of the people to amend the Constitution—the devices that its framers put in the document to help check the abuse of political power.1 Jefferson said “Our people in a body are wise, because they are under the unrestrained and unperverted operation of their own understandings.” And, “If once they (i.e., the people) become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, judges and governors shall all become wolves.” The Constitutional framers in the First Amendment placed alongside the freedoms of religion, speech, and press the inviolable right of the people to influence government. Specifically, “Congress shall make no law...abridging...the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The framers ensured that, as a protected constitutional right, every citizen or group of citizens has the legal right to influence government decision makers. Getting Your Voice Heard