I know it's hard to tell when I'm kidding sometimes, but I really do have their numbers in my cell.

They will blow you off if you don't live in their state or district (although they only know this by the zip code they ask you for wink, wink, nudge, nudge). But their staffers do keep tallies of the number of people who call about issues. Last summer, my congressman got word about a call I made and called me back personally!

And don't assume they're all corrupt, Mel. There are some good ones. Someone not taking bribes or kickbacks just isn't a news story.