No offense, but you just wasted your money. And if I were them, I'd consider it a patronizing exercise. Just saying.

I understand the need to vent, but take a deep breath and think about what has happened here. The '70 FISA law was updated, and Obama's going after the immunity provision in the Senate. This is hardly over.

Thanks, Josh.

Don't forget to contact your senator(s).

Just so people are aware: mail can take 3-4 weeks to get Congress because of anthrax monitoring. Longer if it is a package.

They do, however, deal with FAXes. That is the most effective way of getting a staffer's attention. Of course, the staffer will dutifully log the FAX.

A tip for the future: identify clearly what you are upset about. Presumably it was FISA. You could write something like:

"Re: Recent FISA vote in the House: You should try reading this sometime"

That way, you will be logged as disapproving of the measure. Of course, sending something to the Senate complaining about the House is an exercise in futility.

For the Senate, you could write something like:

"Re: Upcoming FISA vote in Senate: Please review the rights written here and ensure that your vote reflect them."

Also note that most members of Congress will trash mail unless it is sent to them by constituents. However, you can address something to their title, in which case they don't trash it:

"Re: Recent FISA vote in the House: Representative Pelosi, as Speaker of the House, I wish you to review the US Constitution before making another vote that takes more citizen rights away."

I applaud your effort -- because in an election year Congress is particularly sensitive to constituent mail. You just want to have the maximum effect. The first step is to get others to join you, the second step is to follow the suggestions here.

I suggest not getting cute and sarcastic with your direct representatives. They do remember people who take the time to write in... and if you build an impression that you are always mouthing off, the protest has less teeth.

Finally, avoid the email forms on their websites, always use FAXes to get their attention.

Thanks Joshua.

I believe that in numbers there is power. If we all contacted our government representatives and got five others to do so too and so on....believe me, there'd be IMPACT.

As Obama states, it's up to the people - WE LEAD and THEY WILL FOLLOW! A friend who worked in Congressman's office said they only really pay attention when they get more than 100 (positively worded, no snark) communications from their own constituents and it takes 500 if not in their district. Doesn't sound like much, but seldom occurs unless it's mass form e mail or fax. It's the individual's (en masse) communications that influences them.

Post on other blogs and STAND UP & SPEAK OUT (TO YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS AS WELL AS OTHER VOTERS) OR SHUT UP!

If we only acted when we knew for sure that it would get results, then we'd never act or act rarely.

Obama did not begin to run for office because he was sure he'd win. He set out to try and look what happened.

I'm glad you did this because you did it from your heart. Don't let people tell you otherwise.

I was intiailly very disappointed with the House Dems, but honestly, Nancy Pelosi has been able to guage when to fight today, when to fight another day, and when to let things go if she won't get her way. She's doing just fine. It's Hill politics, and it's really frustrating for those of us on the outside.

That being said, I think contacting your Congressmen and Senators is worthwhile; how else will they know our thoughts. However, I'm betting Nancy Pelosi already has a copy of the Constitution--you're better off sending it to the White House.

Pelosi was being pressured for months for the standing Senate bill on FISA.

The attempt at a compromise shows leveled strength in the Congress to oversee or check the President's measures.

The FISA and immunity bills are separate and will be introduced as such.