"Agreed- sending form letters is the best way to make sure that you're ignored."
I'm not so sure. Our Senators simply don't respect individual rights. However, they do fear groups that vote as a block.
I think there are benefits to both original letters and a form letter that is slightly personalized.
There's never been any indication that form letters are taken seriously.
On the contrary, it's been reported again and again that form letters are ignored (sometimes staffers just chuck them when they come in). Form letters don't mean anything because they don't take any time or effort to make.
That's why a letter is more valuable than a phone call, and a phone call is more valuable than an email. The only thing worse is a preprinted card.