Here is an interesting
study done by the
Congressional Management Foundation which I had never heard of until today.
The Internet is generally having a positive effect on the discourse between citizens and Congress. A large majority of congressional staff surveyed, 79%, believe the Internet has made it easier for citizens to become involved in public policy; 55% believe it has increased public understanding of what goes on in Washington; and a plurality of 48% believe it has made Members more responsive to their constituents.
More interesting findings below the fold
Personalized or individualized messages to Congress have more influence on Members' decision-making process than do identical form messages. Only 3% of staff surveyed say identical form postal mail would have "a lot" of influence on their Member of Congress if he/she had not reached a decision. In contrast, 44% report individualized postal letters would have "a lot" of influence.
People who engage in political activities online or who write to their elected officials are very likely to be active members of their communities. Citizens who write or call their elected officials are about six times more likely than the general public to belong to a group trying to influence public policy or to attend a political rally, speech or protest; three times more likely to write an article for a magazine or newspaper; and four times more likely to work for a political party. Consequently, constituents who write Congress tend to be politically active and have disproportionate political influence in their communities.
It is interesting to hear it from the horse's mouth and quite re-assuring to know that those letters do actually matter somewhat.