Does writing your senator help?

[TheFarseer]

Poll question: Does writing your senator help?

I always get a topical response back from Senator Nelson when I write him. Whether that means he's listening to us or not, I'm not sure but it's very nice to see that someone is at least looking at the subject line of our e-mail to see what we are concerned about.

Senator Hagel, I'm pretty convinced doesn't give a darn about anyone in our state except maybe his contributors. My Grandpa is actually kind of a local bigwig and he says that none of the groups he's in ever get any response from Hagel on anything so I don't even bother to e-mail him ever.

[atreides1]

1. Hell No

I live in Arizona and the only choice we have is between Kyl and McCain, which means no choice.

[efhmc]

2. No way, I live in Texas. I even stopped signing the on-line letters as I

always got the same stock letter back from KBH, who is determined to be the next governor of Texas. My life in the US just gets better and better.

[Imalittleteapot]

9. You beat me to it.

I always write Cornyn, Granger and KBH. I have never received a response from C & G, but KBH always mails me her stock response. Until enough of us write them in mass, our opinions count for nothing, which is why I will continue the effort.

[Ezlivin]

16. Those "representatives" are sucking hard on defense dick

Hutchinson is such a whore for Bell and Lockheed/Martin it's embarrassing.

I got tired of her "what message does it send the children" boilerplate replies to my letters.

Writing to these Republican assholes is a colossal waste of one's time. They represent nothing more than the corporate interest.

I look forward to watching their criminal trials.

[bigluckyfeet]

17. I wrote Hutchinson Before

and told her she was a "corporate whore"...I pull no punches,I tell it like it is.

[lavenderdiva]

13. I live in Texas too...

I'll bet they don't even bother to read them.

[ernstbass]

3. I have 2 repug asshole senators

and I always get the routine response about bipartisan efforts. I definately think it makes a difference when I write my congressman, however. I'm from VA - Senators Allen and Warner:mad:

[DebJ]

4. let's match them up with Pa: Specter and Santorum...but Specter

a former Dem, does side with the little guys at times, at least. He is not being helpful to Bush on SSI reform. Santorum, of course, is trying to make up for that.

[mopinko]

5. i met my congresswoman the other day

jan schakowsky. i was assured that the reason she supported conyers and voted no on accepting the ohio electors was due to the overwhelming urging of her constituents.

[Ken065]

6. Absolutely Not!

John Warner and George Allen in VA. I get the same canned responses from Warner, and nothing from the other idiot. If he wasn't so utterly stupid, he'd give Santorum a run for his money.

[skids]

7. No, but for a good reason.

I live in MA. On most issues, they can generally be trusted to vote in a manner which represents the values of the people here.

That goes doubly so for my Rep.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. If my own experience is any indication, no...

I wrote what I thought was a very thoughtful and well-reasoned letter to Sen. Lisa Murkowski about election reform, and she sent me back a 100 percent nonresponsive letter about privatization of social security.

[FourStarDemocrat]

10. Most are not that responsive--BUT

..If they receive hundreds or thousands of letters and calls on a particular issue (and NOT form letters) it does quite often have an impact.

[napi21]

11. I think it does, but there has to be a lot of letters!

Few, if any Sen will pay much attention to 1 or 2 emails, phone calls, or letters. But they DO pay attention to a lot of them on the same issue!

Remember the lightening speed they all moved when that Judge said they couldn't have the Do Not Call List because the agy. didn't have the power to authorize it? I was shocked!!! I didn't think it was possible to get ANYTHING voted on and passed in DC that fast!!!

They do pay attention when a lot of people respond, and especially since a lot of them have to face re-election and their beloved Shrub doesn't!

[journalist3072]

12. At least you all have Senators to write

Beause I live in the District, I have no representation in the Senate, which means I have no one to write about the issues in Congress that affect me as an American citizen.

What is wrong with that picture?!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Patty Murray, Yes. Maria Cantwell, No.

My wife and I frequently write to our senators. We always get a response from Patty (or, her staff - I'm not naive), and, even though she may vote differently than I like on certain issues her response addresses the specific issue.

Maria, on the other hand, when she does respond, (rarely), usually sends something telling us what a swell senator she is.

[Davis_X_Machina]

15. Both Pugs, Snowe and Collins.

Get form letters 4-6 weeks later, usually generic.