How often can you write to, or call, your congressman or senator before you get labeled a crackpot?

Daily would be a bit much :)

Also, aid should be aide, sorry.

We all cut each other slack on the typos. I retract my earlier answer. Hey they work for us, we should be able to contact them as often as we want. Does your boss at work disappear for days or months?

I think it depends on the rationality and quality of your comment.

If you contact them about a single concern once a week, you’re passionate.

If you contact them every day about a different topic, you are a crack pot, and will quickly be labeled so.

I think writing shows a bot more sincerity that calling, as well.

I heard a congressman ranking contact in order of importance/priority given to various methods of contact. E-mail was the lowest, followed by regular mail, handwritten regular mail, phone calls and the highest priority was reserved for personal visits.

At least for this particular congressman.

I would rank text lowest. Regular mail highest. Mail invites a considered response.

@ibstubro I think it’s a bit different: if you cal repeatedly about the same thing, they’ll think you’re nuts. If you call or write once or twice a month on issues that are at the top of attention, they won’t discount it.

So, my opinion: once or twice a month tops. And it means a lot more if they know you represent even a small group of voters.

@zenvelo Do you think it matters whether or not you agree with the particular party line on a given subject? Do they discount those opinions that do not match their own?

@rojo It does not take much for a Congressman to realize they need to be cognizant of the constituent views. That’s why phone calls and hand written letters are effective – they know if ten or fifteen people go out of their way to raise their voice, that it means a lot more agree but won’t take the time to speak out.

More than their wife but less than their mistress.

I worked on Capitol Hill for (too many) years. Every office had some constituents who sent letters every day or so and, yes, they were considered to be annoying crackpots. There really is such a thing as the “little boy who cried wolf.” When someone spews outrage on a daily basis, and apparently has nothing better to do than write to a legislator, it’s difficult to take that person seriously. The individual would always get a response and be treated with respect, but the entire office did a collective eye-roll.

My congressional years pre-date email, so I don’t know how e-communications have affected constituent communications. Way back then, the order was:

1. (Highest) Visit to the D.C. or home district office, or appearance at some public event to meet the legislator
2. Personally-written letter
3. Phone call
4. Pre-printed postcard or form letter, from some organization, that required just a signature and stamp
5. (Lowest) Signing a petition.

Evidently some congressmen give the highest marks to those who ask a question at a townhall meeting or the equivalent.