This letter is pretty slap-dash, but it gets the point across. Feel free to copy it and edit it in any way you deem fit and send it to your Representatives in Congress. This is how citizen-led democracy works! Get involved- it only takes a few minutes.
Dear Congressman Bishop,
Today, as you may know, thousands of websites are blacking themselves out in opposition to SOPA and PIPA, two acts currently making their rounds in congress which threaten a free and open internet. Despite their good intentions, these acts make it possible for website access to be restricted to American citizens. In fact, many of the provisions in both SOPA and PIPA are reminiscent of the censorship laws used in nations like Syria, Iran, and China, 3 nations which severely limit their citizens access to information and, thus, severely limit the liberties of their citizens.
But the United States is not Iran, Syria, or China. We are a nation founded on beliefs of openness, citizen involvement, and freedom of information. The problems of copyright infringement are real, but the methods outlined in SOPA and PIPA are considerably worse than any current problems we have, and are very draconian in substance.
I encourage you to vote "no" to both acts, and to encourage your colleagues to do the same. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Zachary J. Stickney
Thank you! I have contacted mine.
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