Which Phrases Are More Effective When Communicating with Elected Officials?

[enlightenment]

9. A couple of years ago,

I was sending missives to Harry Reid (he's one of MY senators) through his website - which is the way he wants his constituents to communicate with him.

You've seen the "forms" - choose your issue from a drop-down box; indicate if you are writing to praise or complain; fill in your personal information and write your message in the little box.

Every time I wrote I received a reply. Not a real reply, just a canned reply with an auto-signature that more or less addressed the issue I had chosen. It was frustrating - so one day I decided to see if anyone (an aide, since I know Reid doesn't read his mail) actually read what I was writing.

I selected my issue from the drop-down box - and then wrote about something else. Twice. The first time I indicated I was praising; the second time indicating I was complaining . . . but what I wrote each time very clearly said that I was pretty much convinced that no one was reading my messages and would like some acknowledgement that I was wrong.

I received two letters. Each addressed the issue I had selected in the drop-down box; neither even hinted that what I had written was read.

It wouldn't have mattered what kind of language I was using (and I am always polite) - no one, and I mean NO ONE was reading what I wrote.

I don't disagree that you catch more flies with honey, MM - but when an elected official can't even be bothered to tell his staff (and he's got plenty of staff both in DC and in Nevada) to glance at the messages attached to the undoubtedly automatic sorting of the "issues" and "praise/criticize" options, there's a problem that no amount of polite language will solve. Could I call him? Sure - and maybe talk to an aide whose job is to vet and sort phone calls. Could I write an actual letter? Sure - and I would be willing to bet I'd get the same canned responses. They have neither the time nor the interest to be bothered.

Frankly, I don't think it really matters what you say - beyond indicating if you agree or disagree with whatever issue you are addressing. Constituent messages are sorted by issue and position. Individual opinion beyond that is irrelevant to our elected officials.