Does writing letters to politicians do any good?

[sudopod]

Maybe it does, in a "counting noses" sort of way, but writing letters to politicians in the hope of changing anything, like energy policy or health care law or ending the wars in the Middle East, is about as useful as praying for them to change. Frankly, they probably aren't going to be read by the person they are addressed to, and I get enough form letters as it is.

Oh, sure, it might make us feel better and give us a sense that we're participating in the system some how, but in the end it looks like both are about as effective as dressing up like a wizard, going to DC, and trying to find the right ley line to tap into in order to cast a powerful spell to change the government's policy. At least with the wizard plan you'd get to look rad and dress like a wizard.

Am I being to cynical or what? I know autopen manufacturers produce jobs, too, but damn.

[FormerDittoHead]

1. Not as much as a private jet ride to a golf course and a round with a bunch of millionaires.

But the jet is tax deductible, lowering their taxes, so everything's OK.

[sudopod]

3. Are you saying a burnt offering of Kobe beef might be more effective? nt

[FormerDittoHead]

26. No. Maybe a position on the board of a corporation for his wife and brother?

Or a book deal. They love those.

They'll "write" the book about something hopeful, or how screwed up something is.

The congressman will get a giant advance way beyond whatever the book sales could justify.

Actually, my favorite book is the one which the newly retired politician "writes" describing how fucked up the system is that he worked in for 20 years... but did absolutely nothing to change.

on edit: or some foundation they can "run" by having their name on the stationary! Ex-politicans LOVE those! They need some big contributors, however. Know any?

[sudopod]

27. I think you pretty much said it all. :/ nt

[LWolf]

2. If your goal is to receive

a patronizing form letter from your rep in return, it works really well.

[sudopod]

6. They are the best. They let me know how much my Representatives care about me.

I am far less likely to overthrow the system if when I feel like they care!

[Ohio Joe]

4. To some extent, yes

When writing to federal and high state level politicians, you are correct in that they probably do not read them themselves. There are simply far too many for that. They are read by various interns that then sort them into numbers for and against whatever policies and then passed along as charts and such.

Local level politicians do read their own mail though, I very often get replies and/or calls regarding issues I've written or called about.

[mmonk]

5. Only if you are repetitive and follow up with faxes and phone calls.

[joeybee12]

7. Enclose a big fat check with those letters and the answer is yes!!!! nt

[sudopod]

10. How big of a check?

Based on campaign contributions from insurance companies and the resulting votes for the Public Option, my gf and I calculate that it takes about an even million to buy one senator for a single issue.

We're both technical, so we could invent things and buy our congress people fair and square once we hit it big.

[joeybee12]

17. That's what i think...I'm going to win the lottery then buy a few senators...nt

[sudopod]

18. It's a much safer investment than real estate these days. nt

[rug]

8. It keeps the Post Office going.

[sudopod]

9. the Post Office is in the Constitution.

If they don't love the Post Office, I'll write them a letter and ask them why they Hate America.

[DURHAM D]

11. Phone calls have more impact.

You get to talk to staff and if you know your stuff and sound reasonable they will report the conversation. JFTR - I usually call the state office - not D.C. office.

If you have donated to the office holder's campaign or done volunteer work be sure to mention it.

[sudopod]

12. doublepost nt

[sudopod]

13. So what is a phone call's impact as a multiple of that of a hand-written letter?

1.5x letters? 5x letters? I'm better at gabbing than writing. Or would it be more of an electron-mediated prayer?

You know, if we made a religion about politicians, we would double our efficiency.

[DURHAM D]

25. Its a two way conversation thus more difficult to ignore.

I always start by asking what the Senator's / Rep's thoughts are on a particular policy or bill. I usually ask if they are getting lots of constituent interest on a particular item.

The staffers like to talk to folks from the state or district. They do pay attention.

[sudopod]

29. Well, the staffer won't ignore it, but will it get to the top as anything other than a tally mark? n

[DURHAM D]

32. No but what do you expect.

JFTR - no elected official is actually going to read a letter. However, they talk with staff continuously. They are very, very interested in what the people back home are thinking because they are always interested in getting re-elected.

[sudopod]

33. So why not send out little mini-ballots and collect our bulk opinion if that's all that matters?

Why should we all be scolded to send detailed prayers to gods who doesn't listen nor care?

[CBGLuthier]

14. Only if you include photos of them molesting a cow

[sudopod]

16. I've heard that the cow part isn't even necessary. nt

[lpbk2713]

15. Only if you represent a PAC or a Fortune 500.

Then they will be glad to meet you at any golf resort in the world, at your expense of course.
Otherwise you get a form letter, the content of which would be decided upon by a part-timer.

[gateley]

19. I just e-mail a subject line to them which always include the

words "contribution" and "vote". They don't care how I feel, how bad off I am, only if I'll contribute and vote for them next time around. I do it because I'd like to think they're at least keeping a tally of how their constituents stand on an issue (to ensure further contributions and votes, of course).

[sudopod]

20. Do you suppose real people even see the emails?

I'd bet that's automated most of the time. You could have a subject line saying:

"Tax cuts penis penis penis vote penis penis $1000 contribution penis penis America penis."

and it would go in the same pile as a carefully written plea for help.

[gateley]

30. I think they somehow have to monitor communication from

constituents, if for no other reason than to see which way the wind is blowing (because, again, campaign contributions and votes).

I don't bother with carefully written pleas. I KNOW those aren't read.

[DeSwiss]

21. No.

And here's why:

''It's a big club -- and you ain't in it! You and I are not in the big club.'' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJeFrqBJF6E">George Carlin - ''They're coming for your Social Security''

- K&R

[sudopod]

22. ouch nt

[Saturday]

23. I sent an email to Senator Kirk today....

and he answered with an auto reply saying thanks for getting in touch with him and if I was an IL resident he would get back to me regarding my comments. Also he said, they read every email. So, yes, I think it helps. Haven't heard anything from my email to Durbin.

[sudopod]

24. "Also he said, they read every email."

:3

God answers every prayer, some people say, he just mostly answers no.

[sudopod]

28. I guess what I'm asking is whether or not they ever change their minds on a substantial issue,

based on letters. Oh, you might get a community center or a grant to make a garden, but on the big issues? Meh.

[RebelOne]

31. I don't think so because all I ever receive is a form letter from my elected politician. n/t