# Would this work to hold politicians accountable-ish?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-to-hold-politicians-accountable-ish/382038>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 28, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-to-hold-politicians-accountable-ish/382038 "2006-11-28T04:57:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-to-hold-politicians-accountable-ish/382038/1 "2006-11-28T04:57:08Z")

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I’m in the process of putting together a website with a three friends of mine (one other American, one French, and one Algerian). Admittedly, we have pretty grand intentions, but hopefully not too grand.

One of the ideas I’ve had recently was a letter writing campaign, and I wanted to present it here to see if people thought it would work. Basically, what I want to do is research certain practices like, say, [agricultural](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=394604&highlight=subsidies)[subsidies](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=395052&highlight=subsidies) . Then, using the information gathered, I would write to the politicians involved in the legislation concerning said subject, presenting them with the information – though, and _this is very important_, not accusing them of anything – and ask them to explain their position to us.

I would post the letter on the website, as well as mail and email it to the politician. I would tell the politician that the letter is posted on the website, which gives him more incintive to respond, since there are perhaps hundreds/thousands of readers who would be waiting for a response.

It would not look good for the politician not to respond, but if he did, we would also post his response on the site.

I want to know if people think this is futile, a good idea, or flawed. If you have any suggestions, I’d appreciate them.

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**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-to-hold-politicians-accountable-ish/382038/2 "2006-11-28T05:36:09Z")

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Unless your letter is accompanied by a hefty campaign contribution, I’d doubt the politician will ever even see it. Some staffer will open the envelope, scope out the return address, and send you “form letter #3” as a reply.

Not that I’m cynical or anything…

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**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2006, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-to-hold-politicians-accountable-ish/382038/3 "2006-11-28T06:24:33Z")

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[QUOTE=Oakminster]  
Unless your letter is accompanied by a hefty campaign contribution, I’d doubt the politician will ever even see it. Some staffer will open the envelope, scope out the return address, and send you “form letter #3” as a reply.

Not that I’m cynical or anything…  
[/QUOTE]

I work for a congressman, and that’s pretty much how it works. Plus, websites like that already exist.

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**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2006, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-to-hold-politicians-accountable-ish/382038/4 "2006-11-28T07:23:23Z")

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[QUOTE=brickbacon]  
I work for a congressman, and that’s pretty much how it works. Plus, websites like that already exist.  
[/QUOTE]

awesome…