I’ve visited their offices and spoken to my congressman (who I did not vote for) in a friendly manner while encouraging him to do right. Met with assistants to numersous congress and senators and know my state assemblyman.
town level, county level, state level and federal level for various stuff through the years. Most recently I was conducting an interesting conversation with the state Governor and my State reps over decriminalizing and possibly legalizing medical weed in CT. I have also been contacting the Fed level but not with as much back and forth going on.
I have always felt that you need to communicate to be heard. I vote every chance I get, and I write if there is an issue that needs addressing. I hate people who complain about something but have never raised a finger to make the issue known or try to get it fixed.
I’ve never contacted my MP or MLA, although I did visit my MP’s office back in the 80s to pick up a copy of the US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (and then wrote a paper on the FTA that got an A). At the municipal level, I was very engaged in the last election, helping out the campaign of the eventual winner, who I knew from our university days. I now periodically shoot him a message by way of Facebook, either on his Mayor page or his personal page, depending on the issue.
Based on early poll results, it looks like we’re a pretty activist crowd.
I talk to city-level, county-level, and state senators and reps regularly. I have the home and/or cellphone numbers for just about all of them, and let them know how I feel on things. I’ve met my Governor, U.S. Senators, and Representative face-to-face.
Ignoring elected officials I helped to elect, I have had occasion to be in touch with my MNA (member of the Quebec National Assembly). I haven’t been in touch with my borough mayor, city councillor or borough councillors, although if that soccer stadium on Nuns’ Island continues with its damnably bright lights at 11 at night, I may have to.
Yes, on several occasions, at all levels of government.
Yip, both my MP (UK Parliament) and MSP (Scottish Parliament) hear from me when it seems to me to be necessary. Mind, it’s not like we disagree too much about most major issues, but it doesn’t hurt. As an aside, both of them have good constituency offices, staffed by people who are willing and able to give a boot up the arse when required in local issues.
Yes, several occasions. I get canned newsletters from Debbie Stabenaw now, although she never responded meaningfully or personally to any of my concerns.
I’ve painted a senator’s house and helped train his dog, but didn’t vote for him.
I threatened to contact my state representative once while I was involved in a snafu regarding two state governments. However, just the threat was enough to get things straightened out, so I didn’t need to follow through.
Countless times, I’ve reached out to elected officials for help with our clients (usually does help) and a few times personally. One friend filed for her passport ages in advance, but as her trip grew nearer and nearer, the passport office kept telling her (when she could get through) that there was a hold up. She flipped out two days before she was supposed to go to Mexico, so I told her to call Senator Boxer’s office. After she gave them authorization via fax at about noon, my friend’s passport was hand delivered to her- by courier- at 930 PM. Impressive, I must say.
As far as non official things, I once wrote a strongly worded email to Roy Ashburn (yes, the uber conservative that was arrested for a DUI outside of a gay bar with a leather daddy in the car with him). After watching Ashburn debate his opponent at my college one night, little 19 year old me was offended by what he had to say. I may or may not have said, “I can honestly say that you epitomize all that is bad in the political arena today.” Then I may or may not have gone on to criticize his comments about gay rights groups and his opponent supporting them (mmm, sweet justice all those years later!).
Naturally, my hate mail didn’t get a reply, but I saw Senator Ashburn at a fundraiser a few months later. Because he was literally the only Republican who wasn’t guaranteed to win, so he stood at the end of this line we all had to wait in, shook everybody’s hand, and asked each person to vote for him. He shook my dad’s hand, then turned to me with a big smile and his hand extended. He looked down at my name tag and his expression changed. Hand pulled back sharply, eyes narrowed into a glare. I laughed and walked away.
Hey, at least I made an impression on the guy. Plus, it’s kind of nice to know your political nemesis hates you, too :D.
I emailed my senator once regarding a particular piece of legislation that I had a strong opinion about. I did get a response from her office a little while later.
Frequently, at all levels below President - Joe Biden is essentially a neighbor, and I worked on his son’s election campaign.
Governor, Attny General, County Council, State Senate, Congressional Representative, Senators (in multiple states), and of course, ol’ Joe himself. I will, and have, contact any of 'em, depending on which one I think will be able to address my issue best.