when you write a letter to your state rep does it actually get read by them or do they have their own people look at it and forward the gist of it to them?
2006-09-20 02:41:23 · 6 answers · asked by Jilm_Jones 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
I doubt if Representatives actually read their own email. Unless you are large campaign contributor, in which case you probably have their private email address. A staffer reads these emails, and then responds to them, usually with the Representative's platform position on the issue. I email my representatives whenever I have something to say on an issue, but the responses I receive always seem flat and prepared. Basically canned responses. In some cases it is obvious that they didn't even actually read the entire email, just the subject. This should not deter you from writing though. Politicians are concerned about votes, and if enough constituents complain about an issue I can guarantee you that they hear about it from the person reading the mail.
2006-09-20 02:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by Bryan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every time I've written my Senators and Representatives I've gotten an auto-response, so I'm assuming a staffer read the letter. I do know that there are interns that work in Congress and do only this, or answer phones, and they keep tallys on the issues and what people are writing and calling about.
2006-09-20 16:32:27 · answer #2 · answered by East of Eden 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have a staff that reads them and also replys. For security they are all checked by Capital Police first. They xray them.
We have 535 in Congress, they do not do any real work. Each one cost's tax payers about $1 million per year in staff. Congress has been only in session about 60-120 days per year. No legislation of any kind has passed by Congress in 6 years that helps the common working class tax payers, none.
Read my letter from Senator DeWine on my blog.
BTW, when I write them they get 10,000 to 20,000 copies of the same letter. If you have big bucks you can also call them on the private line and talk with them. Most of what is written is ignored by members of Congress unless it has "check enclosed" for over $5000.
2006-09-20 10:23:46 · answer #3 · answered by jl_jack09 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a way you can tell. You write a letter complaining about something they did, and they respond with a letter thanking you for supporting their position on the issue.
They have people that go through them, but on some issues the actual letter makes it to them.
2006-09-20 12:04:19 · answer #4 · answered by Yo it's Me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our legislators get so much mail that they could not possibly read it all. Therefore, their staffs read the mail and compile data about what is being said. An occasional letter is selected by staff to be read by the legislator. This does not mean that it is not worthwhile to contact your legislator; correspondence does, in fact, count.
2006-09-20 12:35:09 · answer #5 · answered by kearneyconsulting 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they all have a staff member read them. There are occasions when I have written to them. I got a generic response from the office, then later I got a personal reply from the politician.
2006-09-20 12:10:24 · answer #6 · answered by bifrost03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋