Letter Writing

[american.swan]

From some TED talk, letters to congress can be very effective. It's worth a shot.

Make a list of every elected official in your district and pick one at each level to write letters to. Then write polite letters REGULARLY. CONSISTENTLY. Speak of your issues in your district / life / and various votes. Be polite and clear. No conspiracy junk.

Supposedly, this is supposed to WORK!!

TRY IT!! I wish I had the TED talk link that said this worked.

 

[VoluntaryAmerican]

From some TED talk, letters to congress can be very effective. It's worth a shot.

Lol.

Seriously? Based on what evidence?

...I think we would all be better off pressuring our local and state newspapers. If you don't know your editors email... you're not doing enough, IMO.

 

[sailingaway]

I do.

 

[VoluntaryAmerican]

I do.

Every time I have I got a generic response... and I wasn't rude or anything.

At least editors give feedback and actually care what their readers think... seriously, you're better off putting the pressure on that way.

 

[eleganz]

 

[Ivash]

Letters over small-to-medium things (or big things the Congressperson doesn't give a damn about) can actually be fairly effective. You won't change your congressmen's mind on anything big, though. At least not usually.

 

[sailingaway]

Letters over small-to-medium things (or big things the Congressperson doesn't give a damn about) can actually be fairly effective. You won't change your congressmen's mind on anything big, though. At least not usually.

The sheer number and ratio of yes to no is counted on hot issues, though.

 

[fr33]

I've tried it and have seen no evidence that it's effective. That might be because I live in an area full of ignorant people that cancel me out. My establishment representatives don't fear my opinions at all.

 

[TheTyke]

Thomas Massie pointed out that letters arrive very late due to security screening - sometimes two weeks after the vote has already taken place. So be sure to send them early if you want to.

By contrast, he said once calls overwhelm the staffers, they start ringing in some kind of common area and can scare the tar out of legislators. Leadership have more staffers, so it's harder to overwhelm them. But it sounds like from his experience, a deluge of calls can be pretty effective.

 

[RockEnds]

I've never had much luck with the federal guys, but letters and emails can be effective at the state level. A well crafted letter at the state level can help to get legislation proposed, kill a bad bill, or get it past committee. You win some and you lose some, but if you have a particular issue, and you become familiar with what drives the success or failure of the bills, you can make a difference.