Calling your congressman. Really? Does this really work?

[Tom_Tildrum]

If you’re calling about a political issue, keep in mind that if your views are strongly at variance with most voters in your district or state, there may simply not be much satisfaction available.

[TSBG]

Regarding state legislators, I’ve had good luck with my rep–but I live in California, and legislating is a full-time job. Most states have part-time legislators, even big ones like New York, and there isn’t a lot of full-time staff to handle stuff. I once made some inquiries on behalf of a friend in Alabama and wound up calling a state legislator’s home and talking to his wife.

[Chronos]

Quoth Tom Tildrum:

If you’re calling about a political issue, keep in mind that if your views are strongly at variance with most voters in your district or state, there may simply not be much satisfaction available.

Sure, but it can’t hurt. Maybe the other voters oppose you on most other issues, but agree on this one. Maybe they don’t care about that particular issue enough to write about it. Maybe the legislator emself agrees with you, and is willing to vote that way if there are at least a few constituents who agree. And if nothing else, it gives you a chance to let off some steam.

[ZurBob]

@Tom_Tildrum

If you’re calling about a political issue, keep in mind that if your views are strongly at variance with most voters in your district or state, there may simply not be much satisfaction available.

Enough said.

[drachillix]

@TriPolar

It works if there’s something a congressman can do. IRS problems, you can give it a shot, they may get you in contact with someone who can help, if anything can be done at all. State and local government issues also may get resolved with a word from a congressman. If it’s serious you can give it a try. Useful or not you’ll end up on the fund raising list.

If you have a legit problem with the IRS, this is one of the solutions with teeth. The IRS has 72 hours to respond to an inquiry from a member of congress. If they fail to do so…heads start rolling at the IRS.

<cite…mom retired after 28 years at the IRS, and worked in a unit that handled dozens of such inquiries.>

[drachillix]

@D_Anconia

Here is what I don’t understand. The issuance of visas is strictly a federal matter. Citizens of most countries must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home countries. How would a state Rep or state Senator have any influence over the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi?

Just to expound a bit on the reply already given, the embassy is staffed, at least in part by american citizen employees of the Dept of State, thus federal employees. Front desk visa clerk types may be locals but their supervisors and or managers probably are not.

[silenus]

@Tom_Tildrum

If you’re calling about a political issue, keep in mind that if your views are strongly at variance with most voters in your district or state, there may simply not be much satisfaction available.

This. Calling my congress-critter would be a waste of time because he is a Republican douchebag asshole. I’ve gotten much better response by calling/writing both of my senators, who are both reachable, responsive and caring people with competent staffs.

[Nars_Glinley]

@drachillix

If you have a legit problem with the IRS, this is one of the solutions with teeth. The IRS has 72 hours to respond to an inquiry from a member of congress. If they fail to do so…heads start rolling at the IRS.

<cite…mom retired after 28 years at the IRS, and worked in a unit that handled dozens of such inquiries.>

We also had a pretty good success rate calling the VA and the Social Security Administration on behalf of constituents.

[D_Anconia]

@drachillix

Just to expound a bit on the reply already given, the embassy is staffed, at least in part by american citizen employees of the Dept of State, thus federal employees. Front desk visa clerk types may be locals but their supervisors and or managers probably are not.

Right. But why would career professionals in the State Department consider a state rep from Podunk an Important Person worth listening to?

There have been a lot of stories/anecdotes so far in this thread. Since this is GQ, does anyone have a cite that a state rep or senator can facilitate the issuance of a tourist visa to someone in another country?

TIA.