A Question About Activism

[javadu]

A Simple Question

How effective is my political activism?

My congressman is a repug and I live in a fairly conservative community. I occasionally post on DU, but that is more a way of coping and something that I do for myself. Recently, I have contemplated increasing my level of involvement and activism. For me, activism would largely be limited to letters and calls to legislators and maybe to newspapers. Given my position at work, however, I would not want my letters to actually be published.

At the same time, I don't feel like my activism would be very effective. My repug congressman will not change his vote. So, I focus on donating a little money and time to the democratic candidates that run (and, in my district, lose every year). This is discouraging and I have difficulty getting motivated to write letters and make calls. Am I wrong about this? Can any of you convince me to take the time and effort to write more letters and make more calls to legislators and the press?

On the one hand I know that every virtuous citizen should participate. But, on the other hand, what I really would like to know is whether or not these activities are effective. Does anyone on DU have some experience to say, "yeah, those activities really do matter," or, "no, your emails and letters do not get dumped into the trash."

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Having worked on the Hill

Letters and phone calls are little more than a nuisance.

Get involved with your local Democratic party instead and focus on booting the bastards out of office. It may take a lot of time, but start on the state level and build there.

[displacedtexan]

2. Just do what you're able to do.

Calls, letters, donations of time and $? That's more than most people are able to do.
All politicians log each and every piece of correspondence. That way, they can track public sentiment on the issues.