I know a lot of local politicians. I've met a few state level politicians. I know people who work professionally in politics as part of the machine. I'm consistently told one thing politicians are most afraid of is phone calls. When people care enough to take time out of their day and cold-call a stranger, then a politician knows it's a big deal. Emails, form submits, fax--who cares. But a real constituent calling a staffer is a big deal. Enough call, then the politician gets cover from their funders to act in the peoples' interests.