how do i start a petition?

You can start it on your own.

You can make one on the Internet. I have never heard of one actually working. But you could try.

A better bet would be to make a webpage with info on how to contact lawmakers.

There are several articles available to explain how to start a petition.

i would start it on twitter and facebook. you don’t need permission, but if you did want to spread it might want to check out: http://mashable.com/2009/07/21/twitter-petitions/

Also look up hashtags at what the hash tag!?

#publicoption #obamacare
Compare results and skim top contributors… For ex. #hcr #hc #healthcare etc.
I’ve inserted some results below. It’s useful just to see what gets a lot of spam or what’s being used by opposing side so you know what hashtags to avoid. Then I would either go with one that’s trending up now, or pick a new one and target those people who are legit and sending it. You can search Tweets on a number of Twitter Search engines and hashtag directories to see who influences, etc…

what the hashtag!? URL—http://wthashtag.com/

RESULTS
Tweets with #hcr in the last 7 day—
6,187 tweets, 2,084 contributors, 883.9 tweets per day ·

Top Contributors
1. @GlobalHybrid – 142 2. @thebighoot – 90
3. @IndyEnigma – 76 4. @stunetii – 68 5. @TheFakeJoeBiden – 66 6.
6. @USRealityCheck – 63 7. @Tikkun44 – 47 8. @RayBeckerman – 47
9. @fastfashhh – 42 10. @stockmarketcash – 42

[vs]
#hc09: 2,247 tweets, 861 contributors, 321.0 tweets per da
4,719 tweets, 1,641 contributors, 674.1 tweets per day · more stats

url for hcr: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23hcr
url for hcr: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23hc09
if this doesn’t work go to main page: http://wthashtag.com/

Other stuff -

Look what top contributes are saying, ex: @GlobalHybrid from 9hrs ago

Rep John Barrow (@repjohnbarrow):That’s ENOUGH John! It is 2009 and America
wants REFORM! ROBUST Public Option Now!

Search conversations and find people that have influence and friend or retweet them to get their attention. i’ve never done this so i am just imagining what i might do, but hope this helps!

(Good luck!) @nookum

Well you could use what Obama himself has already started:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

He has a link on there to “Tell Congress” and he has a link on there to “Volunteer”.

@janexander If this is for something local, you could go to your village/town/city hall and ask for a form. Here in my village, that is all I need to do to begin a petition.

And yes, @johnpowell, they often work well on the local level.

@RedPowerLady great link GA

@YARNLADY TY!