Letters to the Editor Toolkit

Write to express your concern about the danger of Kash Patel's nomination to run the FBI:

• Patel is an extreme and unqualified individual who met the only qualification that mattered to Trump: unquestionable allegiance to Trump over the American people.
• Patel is motivated by political revenge, not delivering justice
• Patel denied the results of the 2020 presidential election
• Patel lacks the judgement and temperment needed for leadership. He has no experience managing a large organization like the FBI, which employs 35,000 people in 55 field offices around the U.S. and 60 offices overseas.

Examples of letters about dangers of Project 2025:

• "Project 2025 would undohealth care gains
• "Project 2025 is a dire threat to American democracy"
• "Project 2025 will take away our rights"

"HOW TO" information

• Where to send your letters to the editor


• How Letters to the Editor Can Change Minds


• Examples of letters to the editor from Take Action San Diego members


• Tips for writing effective Letters to the Editor


• Watch this entertaining and useful video, "Writing effective letters to the editor", with journalist Logan Jenkins
• Read more here or here on guidelines for writing letters to the editor.


• Want some guidance in preparing your letter? Contact us for assistance

Background Information for Letter Writers

• Issues in Climate Change.


• Issues in Homelessness.


• Issues in Reproductive Rights.


• Issues in Policing.

PAST CAMPAIGNS

October, 2023: Reject nomination of former Sheriff Gore to the San Diego Ethics Commission

Key points (select just a few to help keep things short and sweet):

• I am _____ (horrified, enraged, shocked) at Mayor Gloria's selection of former Sheriff Gore to serve on the San Diego Ethics Commission


• It seems obvious, but members of the Ethics Commission should represent the best that San Diego has to offer in terms of ethical behavior, as well as community–wide respect and trust. None of this is true for Bill Gore.


• Over 150 people died in Sheriff's Department jail during Sheriff Gore's tenure, more than any large county in California during that time.


• Despite repeated calls from the public, from policy makers and from the families of people who died in jail, Sheriff Gore made no meaningful changes to policies.


• In 2022, the State Auditor's Department issued a scathing review of the Sheriff's Department, stating that it "filed to adequtely prevent and respond to the deaths of individuals in its custody"


• Under Sheriff Gore, multiple studies found evidence of significant racial disparities in the use of force, as well as traffic and pedestrian stops.


• Under Sheriff Gore, the Sheriff's Department cooperated with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in violation of the California Values Act, when they turned inmates over to federal immigration custody.


• Mayor Gloria should be embarassed and ashamed at the selection of an individual with such a tarnished reputation as Sheriff Gore, and should immediately withdraw this nomination.


• The nomination of Sheriff Gore to the Ethics Commission shows tremendous disregard to the citizens of San Diego who value justice, fairness and ethical behavior, and will sully the reputation of the Ethics Commission. The City Council should unanimously reject Mayor Gloria's sloppy and cynical move to court the police union at the expense of meaningful ethics leadership.

Instructions:

• When submitting your letter, reference this article: In second appointment this week, Gloria names Gore to San Diego ethics board, San Diego Union Tribune, Sept. 29, 2023


• Submit your letter here


• Maximum number of words: 150


• Help us track our impact: Please send us copies of your submitted letters to the editor, whether they are accepted or not.

September-October, 2023: Support Biden's Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Key points (select just a few to help keep things short and sweet):

• I support the creation of the U.S. Office of Gun Violence Prevention that has just been formed by President Biden and VP Harris.


• Guns are the number 1 killer of children in the U.S. So far this year 1,274 children have died from gun violence.


• An overwhelming majority of Americans want stricter gun laws, but the Republican-led Congress refuses to act


• Students shouldn't have to live in fear of being shot while they’re in school. Biden and Harris are taking action to protect young people, and all of us from the epidemic of gun violence


• Last year, Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of dangerous hands, and is now doing even more. He and VP Harris have taken more executive action than any administration to keep us safe.


• In contrast to the efforts of the Biden-Harris administration, not a single Republican candidate for president has presented a plan to combat gun violence.


• The safety of our children from gun violence will be on the ballot next November! I will be voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and other candidates who vow to address gun violence, so that federal gun safety legislation can finally be passed.

Instructions:

• When submitting your letter, reference this article: Gun violence is the ultimate "superstorm", President Biden says as he announces new federal effort, San Diego Union Tribune, Sept. 22, 2023


• Submit your letter here


• Maximum number of words: 150


• Help us track our impact: Please send us copies of your submitted letters to the editor, whether they are accepted or not.