You are correct about the senator not reading them all. Typically, the staffer may print them out and sort them into the pro and con piles and give an overview of any particular issues. The staffer may also pull a representive sample letter stating with a few highlighted lines for the fors and agins. However, quantity can and does matter. Politicians know that most people don't bother to write in. Usually, it is the vocal minority shouting the loudest, but often times, their numbers are low. Believe me, when a large group of unconnected concerned people write, they do take note.laurawood said:
Rita said:OK, I sent an e-mail.
Besides the potential ecosystem damage, we might need Beach Runner's carpet cleaner (sorry BR, forgot the name) to get those tracked in "tar balls" out of the carpet. I've heard areas along the TX Gulf coast have to deal with that as a problem.
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Necessary for those tar balls. 
as the next person about gulf drilling -- the fact that we have spent so many years guzzling and wasting opportunities to find alternatives to oil is outrageous -- but I don't know that Sen. Nelson has a choice. If he doesn't back this, drilling is going to be even closer. Frankly, I'm surprised he was able to persuade people to go as far as 125 miles -- I thought if we got 100 miles, we would be lucky. The climate in the House especially is not at all sympathetic toward giving Florida any more special protection. Mel Martinez was much more willing to give up the boundaries than Nelson has been.
