[RickSp]

I read this exchanage and shake my head. Dilly is annoyed because he wrote a bullshit letter demanding millions in reparations based on a news story that he heard on O'Reilly. In response to his nonsense, he gets a form letter which is probably more than the letter deserved.

I have gotten personalized responses from Congressman and Senators. Doesn't happen often, but from time to time I get a response that specifically references comments made in my letter. And, no doubt, the responses are written by staffers and not the politician. Neverthelss the response are occassionally personalized if the letter is well argued. (Lunatics demanding cash do not get such responses.)

In any case, the reason I write my representatives has nothing to do with whether I get a personal response, a form letter or no response at all. Senatororial and congressional staffs keep track of the number of letters for or against an issue. They know that for every letter written by a motivatred constituent, there may be a hundred who share the view but can't be bothered to write. My writing a letter is just a way of letting my "vote" on a particular issue be recorded. Does it do any good? On the margins perhaps. Certainly better than sitting silently.