No actual evidence of replies, no information directly from a staffer, and essentially generic advice about not writing a letter full of crayon and threats. Thanks Lifehacker.

The sad thing is people still think politicians care about what you think.

They don't.

/Not effective so much as it's emotionally satisfying.

Yeah, but then you can't talk with a cock in your mouth.

1. Write letter, mail letter.
2. Letter received by staff, put on pile.
3. If timely issue, content of letter scored in spreadsheet.
4. Name possibly put into mailing list depending on letter content.
4. Form-letter response mailed.
5. Tally mentioned to representative at meeting.

/Modern representative democracy, ta da!
//Though the staff will try to help you if you call the representative's office with a legitimate problem that could be solved over the phone.
///Staff more important than the representative in this republic.

DRTFA, but I'm guessing "staple your letter to a stack of large denomination bills or a copy of a really incriminating video" is not in there.

Arkanaut: Yeah, but then you can't talk with a cock in your mouth.

If it is person with political power, chances its your cock in their mouth.

/Whiney bottoms, the whole lot.

I follow only the most basic of those "directions" in that I write in complete sentences and try to know as much as I can before I start writing.

But I don't kiss their ass. They work for me damnit and I'm not going to pretend that just because you have a rich family with connections that gets you on the ballot in the first place you deserve some respect. Especially when you gouge my civil rights again and again.

I hear a sniper rifle works.

/Secret service people, that was a JOKE
//Cantor's an assuage but should be purged at the ballot box.

I was a congressional intern who read constituent correspondence, so I'm getting a kick...

Honestly, I was working for a House rep at his Capitol Hill office and the amount of mail he got on a daily basis was immense. What I ended up doing for a few weeks was taking each day's mail, reading it, then organizing it for the congressman. That involved writing a master document where each letter got a 3-sentence summary of the letter's purpose, a note on who the author was/how they are related to the Congressman, and if they were a constituent or from outside his district. This was then organized in a file, and the summary was put on the top, so that he could decide which to read and easily find it.

I can't tell you if this is normal. But I'm willing to bet that most correspondence that comes into an office doesn't reach the Rep's desk. Congressmen have staff (legislative assistants) who are charged with 1) keeping up to date on issues assigned to them, and 2) meeting with constituents who come to discuss those issues*, and 3) advising the congressman on those issues.

*Yes, most constituents never saw the Congressman. The Congressman was only on the hill on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, usually going to the state district on Friday-Monday. Most saw the Legislative assistant. If they were more important, they spoke to the Rep's Chief of Staff.

Nice content farm piece.

FTA: "Title's are important..."

/People are paid to write this drivel?

I've written people at the State level. I only get responses when we are in agreement. I guess it makes sense. It is their opportunity to say, "yes, you and I are on the same page". The congresscriter has nothing to gain by responding when he disagrees with the constituent. Writing and saying, "Thank you for your input but I disagree with your position", would only remind a voter of a reason to vote for the other guy.

This is good advice. It's pretty simple to let someone know that you're for or against something specific that was already proposed.

It is much harder to get them to listen long enough for you to explain something you'd like them to propose. There is no effective way for a policy idea to come from an ordinary citizen and work its way up. I don't know if there ever was, or if there could be. I suppose the only thing to do is to start a PAC, hire some lawyers, and use them to write the bill you want enacted yourself.

I wrote my Senators about NDAA. No response from one. The other wrote that he was against imprisoning Americans and that he had voted against that particular amendment.

The amendment passed and he voted for the bill.

What's the point when they go, "Whaddya gonna do? *shrug*"

You'll have a (marginally) better effect writing to the companies that own your Congresspeople and informing them that the legislation they back has left you no choice but to boycott their products and encourage others to do likewise.

HotIgneous Intruder: /People are paid to write this drivel?

Not very well. Gawker is a ponzi scheme type place, so most of the writers are like whores in a bangkok den. The editors are the local pimps and get a decent wage, but the conglomerate soaks up 90% of the proceeds.

A distant relative of mine got a job at one of these factories. When he told me how much he was getting I was like wtf is wrong with you, go work at Target and make more money.

I've found that if they don't have a form letter prepped for your particular issue, you get no reply at all. Or if they just totally disagree with you and have nothing to say that you would like (Michele Bachmann, yes, I'm in her district).

Although one time my state rep did send back a hand-written note (another letter she ignored, so it balances out).

And yes, all my letters have been well-written and respectful.