Oh, sure. In my days as an animals rights activist, I wrote plenty. Some replies were obvious form letters, but some were more personal. The latter were probably form letters with personal stuff plugged in.

Absolutely, I've written to my congressman on many occasions, and yes I received answers. I've also received phone calls about them.

I wouldn't email them. I saw on a news report that many never even check the email, just have an address!
Snail mail letters might be different. But to answer your question, nope never written them.

Not Fed, but I have to the state...of NJ.

Although a resident of PA, I had to file a NJ state income tax a couple of years ago, to recover some money.

The state mis-handled the return, and sent me a bill instead.

I wrote an email to NJ Gov Corazines office.

Within a week, I received a personalized letter with his signature, apologizing and saying I would hear from the Director of the agency.
Shortly thereafter, I received another signed letter, a letter of apology from the director, saying that the Gov had brought the matter to his attention, and the check was in the mail.
It, too, was received within days.

Even if it all was handled by aides, it was a problem that was solved immediately.

Over the last three decades, I've written to them many many times and in the last three years, I've seen a decided down-hill slide. They don't even bother to respond to letters and emails (from my experience). And the only thing they do with emails is "capture" the email address so they can *BARRAGE* you with "give me some more money, because I'm so great" emails.

Back in the day, I had respect for our elected officials. These days, it's a different story. How can they represent us when they don't even read the letters we send in?

Time to go back to a monarchy. The republic has failed.

Rose

Yes, when I was in college the first time. Governor's secretary send me a curt reply and I quickly informed her that as a voting citizen, I had every right to contact any elected official I so choose.

I also write (and copied the governor letters) to my local state rep and the rep I was originally trying to contact (he was "ignoring me). My local rep contacted me to make sure I would be home and then told the other rep (who was also a newbie to the House of Reps.) that he better get on the phone and respond to me! LOL

Got an A in that class- I think the professor was more impressed with me "telling officials/secretaries" off than with the actual meat of the project, LOL.

I write/call/email my president, senators, congressman, governor and state legislators when I feel strongly about an issue, but I have never asked for help with a personal matter. I would never expect a personal reply, but I usually receive acknowledgment of some sort.

I am just one of thousands of constituents and don't expect special treatment, but I want my opinion counted and tossed on the appropriate pile in the official's office.

Sherry

I've written several letters, always get a "form-letter" reply.

I've written and just got a form reply too.

I e-mailed my congresswoman last summer, and received a notice that said the e-mail address was an unattended mailbox.

Then lo and behold, just before the election last fall, I received a reply. It was a little more than "thanks for the letter," but it was funny that it was trying to tell me about the issue I had written about, when I already knew all about it, which is why I wrote in the first place!

At the other end, one time years ago a social assistance client complained about me to the Premiere of Ontario. As assistant in his office called my manager, who checked with me that I was administering the case properly (I was). I was impressed that his office did get involved, and initiated a review of the file.

Are you disappointed when you receive form letter responses? Politicians must receive thousands of messages every day! There are not enough hours in the day to respond personally to each and every letter. I'd rather they do something more productive with their time than respond to my letters, yet need to know how their constituents feel about matters.

I think messages from constituents are important; they give the pols a feel for things here in the heartland.

I sent a letter to then Gov. of New York, Mario Cuomo, many, many years ago to sing the praises of a highway patrolman who was so kind & helpful to us when we ran out of gas on the NY Turnpike (I believe). I was surprised when I received a personal response & it was signed by the Gov. I kept the letter because, at the time Cuomo was thought to be in contention for a possible run for the Presidency. I thought I might be the owner of a "priceless" document, a la Abe Lincoln. LOL

Only local counsel men/women. Only one wrote me back and it wasn't a form letter.

On occasion to our senators and representive. I have written thanks to them and have had nice letters back. Our local senator we see at coffee, breakfast, special events etc as he is a farmer also. He also spoke at our Senior meeting, but then he is very knowlegable and gives us good answers. He also tells us why he votes or doesn't vote for a law.

Often. Sometimes form letter response, sometimes a "real" response, sometimes a response of rhetoric which had nothing to do with the issue laid out.

Yes, in fairness they do get tons of mail, email and calls. Everyone wants them to drop everything to address their issue of a streetlight being out or something. They have to delegate. There's been times I was pretty sure I'd get either a form letter or an aide to respond so I addressed it Dear (title)_______ and the Assistant who is reading this:"

Too many people think that as a constituant they have to drop everything to cater to them. Not unlike the ones who feel a store manager needs to drop everything to give them a credit, free goods, refunds or the like because "the customer is always right". I've always had better responses (not necessarily results though) by keeping this in mind when I draft the letter.

Also, I do feel that a formal letter tends to get more attention at times. YMMV of course.

I write emails occasionally to Congress-critters, but all I ever get back are form letters. I always wonder if anyone actually reads what is sent...

Had more luck contacting local councilpeople -- just contacted one last week regarding the bad corner near my street that is always one giant pothole, and I actually got a personalized response.