What does Congress do with our letters?
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Greg L
Member
Canned response based on certain key words in my letter. Then circular file probably. Not that my Congressman ever sees the mail. I'm sure that some staffer reads them and tallies up who is for something and who is against it then tells Congressman the total numbers and which way to vote to piss off the least amount of people. I would like to think otherwise but I'm not too hopefull.
Greg
Greg
trapshooter
Member
Unfortunately
what GregL said. Only exception is if you are a known and recognized heavy donor, or have an easily recognizable 'public' persona. Then you might get 'different' treatment.:banghead:
what GregL said. Only exception is if you are a known and recognized heavy donor, or have an easily recognizable 'public' persona. Then you might get 'different' treatment.:banghead:
cuchulainn
Member
No, they rarely see them, but the staffers who are cranking out those canned responses based on key words often keep track of how many letter came in on a certain topic.
That's why short letters -- postcards even -- are more effective. Keep it short and on one current topic, "Vote against the XYZ gun control bill next week" rather than a two page ramble about the constitution and the founders.
That's why short letters -- postcards even -- are more effective. Keep it short and on one current topic, "Vote against the XYZ gun control bill next week" rather than a two page ramble about the constitution and the founders.
I sorta agree with cuchulainnth that a staffer looks at'em. But Congressmen (HoR) are probably more skittish about letters than Senators. Senators often rely on short memories, they're only up for election every six years, whereas Congressmen are in a perpetual state of campaigning with their 2 year election cycle. But keep the cards and letters going in and they all have e-mail (http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.html) that you pay for, so use it.
Jrob24
Member
Just want to remind you guys to send your letters out early because they are being treated for anthrax and this delays their arrival
David Roberson
Member
I'm an inveterate writer of letters to elected officials, and I've discussed this very thing with some of their staff members.
It does indeed vary among officials, but staff members of two different representatives told me that their drill for handling constituent communications is basically as follows:
Letters about different issues are counted (pro/con) and filed, and a few of the most articulate are actually passed along the addressee. Also, letters from unusually prominent folks or people that the official actually knows are passed along.
Faxes and e-mails are simply counted pro or con and the numbers are reported in briefings or Memos of the Day ("205 e-mails in favor of SB 666, which establishes death camps for handgun owners, and 212 against").
I think the pre-printed cards that the NRA and others always want us to send in are totally valueless as afre as influencing opinion.
It does indeed vary among officials, but staff members of two different representatives told me that their drill for handling constituent communications is basically as follows:
Letters about different issues are counted (pro/con) and filed, and a few of the most articulate are actually passed along the addressee. Also, letters from unusually prominent folks or people that the official actually knows are passed along.
Faxes and e-mails are simply counted pro or con and the numbers are reported in briefings or Memos of the Day ("205 e-mails in favor of SB 666, which establishes death camps for handgun owners, and 212 against").
I think the pre-printed cards that the NRA and others always want us to send in are totally valueless as afre as influencing opinion.
PATH
Member
Guess what they use for toilet paper!
LoneStranger
Member
Please note that the use of these letters and postcards as toilet paper is absolutely false.
Most writing paper along with currency is to stiff and slick to be properly used for the aforementioned activity. Think "John Wayne Toilet Paper", rough and tough and won't take **** off of anybody.
And isn't this a heckuva way to make my first post here!
Most writing paper along with currency is to stiff and slick to be properly used for the aforementioned activity. Think "John Wayne Toilet Paper", rough and tough and won't take **** off of anybody.
And isn't this a heckuva way to make my first post here!
PATH
Member
I kind of like the metaphor. Don't you?
QuickDraw
Member
Gauging from the responses from D.C.(or lack thereof),I think they use the
letters to line bird cages and kitty poo poo boxes.The rest they
burn to keep them warm at night!
QuickDraw
letters to line bird cages and kitty poo poo boxes.The rest they
burn to keep them warm at night!
QuickDraw
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David Roberson
Member
Bacchus, you're right that the NRA postcards are short and recognizable. They're recognizable as a knee-jerk response from a well-mobilized body of people who are committed on this issue -- in other words, an entirely predictable group. Elected officials know even before the postcards arrive that anti-gun bills will produce this kind of canned response.
A rational, well-thought-out letter, however, can't be pigeonholed as easily, and the recipient doesn't know if it comes from a True Believer or from a fencesitter who has been persuaded by logic and reason, and whose opinions on other issues -- and of the elected official's actions -- are less predictable.
Politicians already know the responses that their actions will provoke from extremists on both sides of an issue. What concerns them is the response -- and the size of that response -- from the voters in the middle.
A rational, well-thought-out letter, however, can't be pigeonholed as easily, and the recipient doesn't know if it comes from a True Believer or from a fencesitter who has been persuaded by logic and reason, and whose opinions on other issues -- and of the elected official's actions -- are less predictable.
Politicians already know the responses that their actions will provoke from extremists on both sides of an issue. What concerns them is the response -- and the size of that response -- from the voters in the middle.
Raoul Duke
Member
They recycle in Al Gore's office, because, well you know, the Earth's in the balance!
BlackArrow
Member
Well..........
I'm pretty sure that a bunch of mine have been forwarded to the appropriate "ABC" branch of Gobernment for further investigation I am on the "crazy white-man gunowner list"!
I'm pretty sure that a bunch of mine have been forwarded to the appropriate "ABC" branch of Gobernment for further investigation
I am on the "crazy white-man gunowner list"!Monkeyleg
Member.
David Robertson is right about the NRA postcards. They carry about the same weight as a phone call, maybe even less. The staffers know that the sender didn't really make a concerted effort to contact his legislator.
Hand-written is the best. And the legislators do pay attention, even if they don't agree on the issue.
Hand-written is the best. And the legislators do pay attention, even if they don't agree on the issue.
Mark Tyson
Member
A staffer told me that on average their office received about 200 letters a day. The NRA letters were singled out as singularly annoying. However, he told me that they do indeed read some of the more articulate letters and used all letters in general to guage which way the winds are blowing on a particular issue. He advised me that in his opinion a letter writing campaign can sway a politician who is on the fence.
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