http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3692073/posts?page=2170#2170
In reference to the above post by Wneighbor from previous Q thread....
I used to know a guy who worked for a congress critter. About 20 years ago, so no guarantee that the info is still accurate, but still..... I asked whether it made any difference whether I called or wrote. He said that on a huge issue, it might not sway the congress critter’s vote, but on a small or medium issue, they rarely got more than a few letters/calls. He said 10 letters might often be enough to make the difference.
My $0.02. That was 20+ years ago. Now we have email, Twitter, CHEAP/free phone calls, and possibly a more vocal population. I would bet that he’s still right about the small/medium issues. On the big issues, I think it can still make a difference. Even if your congresscritter is a lib, at least you are registering your view and if they want to make claims like “no one wants K” or “women are overwhelmingly against K” or whatever the issue, they will have to lie about it in the face of many calls/emails/letter.
I also believe that a letter carries MUCH more weight than a call or email. The downside of a letter is that all mail is screened and it may not reach your congresscritter in a timely manner (before a vote). So take that into account.
Side note: I mailed a tea bag to the WH in 2009. Used. Not gonna waste a perfectly good tea bag on 0vomit. I wonder how many of us did and what effect it had.
Just got the POTUS alert
Back when many of us were sending snail mail to DC on a number of topics, it was pointed out that a Post Card gets through to the politician faster than a letter since nothing is hidden when a post card is sent. It gets through inspection faster. Well, as fast as government goes anyway.