Does writing my congressman/congress woman have any pragmatic affect on the outcome of a bill?

Question

As a cynic, I tend to think such letters/emails go straight to the "trash".

Answer 1

I'll get back to you when I think about 'pragmatic affect'... just cannot quite get a handle on this one...

Answer 2

Your communication does not go into the trash. It is read by a staffer and put into a category of for or against an issue. You must remember these people get thousands of letters and emails a day. An especially good one is sent directly to the rep who may actually answer it himself. I have had that happen on a few occasions. Just recently as a matter of fact regarding the immigration bill. So keep writing over and over again and again. Letters and emails come from people who vote and can donate to campaigns, politely and subtlly remind them of that each time you communicate with them. They will pay attention out of fear of losing votes and campaign contributions next time around.

Answer 3

I've written my congress representative about a couple of issues, and I always receive a response detailing his position on the matter. In addition, I know the chief of staff of a Congressman, and he says that staff members read every letter that arrives, and they consider that for every letter that comes, at least 50 people in their district feel the same way, so they take them seriously and report letter infomation to the Congressman in briefings.

So, Yes --> it does matter to your Congressional Rep.

And, No --> They don't just go in the trash.

Answer 4

Any letter from a registered voter he better listen too. For a better effect use pain to affect your politican. For example Accountability, if he does not vote the way he promised too remind him that you will remind the people in his district about the promises he made. Hand out a few fliers and the see if you get a response. Remind him that you voted for him and you can influence others to vote against him

Answer 5

I can almost assure you that they never see it. There secretary goes though that short of stuff.

If you want to be heard, Join an group that supports the bill.

A group of people are much better then an individual.

Answer 6

They would like you to think so
The answer is NO are round filed
Send check with a letter and depending on the size of check is in direct apportion to action taken by congressperson

Answer 7

If your Congressman or Senator is as pigheaded and stubborn as GW Bush, you can probably count on the average sewer rat droppings being more meaningful to them than your correspondence.

Answer 8

One e-mail, telephone call, or letter is considered by politicians to equal about 1000 of their constituents. So do it, it can't hurt anything, but your carpal tunnel syndrome.

Answer 9

How big a contribution check are you attaching to the letter?

Answer 10

not really...get 1000 of your friends to right the same letter for better results