Reply #21: Persistence

[Dogmudgeon]

We don't need to get 100% face time immediately. And while money can buy access, money is not required for access. I think we have forgotten that.

Our cynicism tells us that those staffers are worthless. The reality is that in most political war rooms, those staffers are frequently canvassed by the strategists and The Boss. They are paranoid that they will miss the slightest little peep from the electorate, their base, or even some potential noise-making group. I also found this to be true when I registered my complaints with Santorum staffers, as I did episodically. In some small way, when Man-On-Dog Rick had to do some horse trading, this may have put a pennyweight more on the balance.

If you attend a politician's get-togethers, or write to the reps, and do it consistently, you will make an impact. They will remember your name. They will know that you don't just write to rant, or to complain, but to add your honest opinions and suggestions. You will become not just another statistic to them, but a citizen.

Cynicism tells us what we can't do. When we disobey cynicism, we can accomplish what cynicism mocked us for trying.

Believe me, if you write with reason and passion, you will be heard. It won't guarantee a 100% impact rate, but your efforts will not be in vain. Not only can this succeed, Democracy demands it of us.

Now, imagine if several hundred progressives did that in any given precinct or district ...

--p!