Which Phrases Are More Effective When Communicating with Elected Officials?

[MineralMan]

2. That is definitely not so in many cases.

If you have been active in your support of your legislator, and you write a letter that makes its point well, it will get read by that legislator in many cases. I've been communicating with Congress members for almost 50 years. I've also been working on campaigns for the same period of time as a volunteer. Wherever I've lived, I've met and spoken to whomever is representing my district. I never miss an occasion where I can do that.

When I do talk with those legislators, letters I have sent them are frequently mentioned. It's all part of being active in politics. Money is not the only thing that gets the attention of legislators.

It's clearly more difficult if your legislator has no idea who you are. No question about it. It's difficult, to with Senators, since they represent an entire state. And you shouldn't expect any President to see anything you write, although it does happen occasionally. But your local representatives, both State and Federal, do read letters. Getting those letters to them depends on how well they're written. Staffers decide which letters go to the actual elected official. Most legislators read selected letters.

Clearly, it's more likely that yours will be read if you're an active supporter of that elected person. But, it's not absolutely essential.