Why calling your representatives matters.
As a constituent and citizen, you have real power. Contacting your Federal and State representatives has tremendous impact. If they don't hear from you, they don't know what's important to you and will tend to moderate. Don't assume because they're Democrats they will always vote the right way.
Don't overlook your local representatives. Your state Senator and Assemblymember help shape the laws for California. California is the 5th largest economy in the world; not the states, the world. What California does,
the rest of the country follows, then it goes global.
All of your representatives need to hear from you to know what's important to you. When they know the masses are behind them (or they feel the pressure), they have more confidence to make the right decisions.
If you you're happy with your representative, take a minute and thank them for the work they're doing on your behalf. Many times they're fighting alone so knowing that we support them gives them the capacity to keep going.
Legislation doesn't pass by itself. Politicians have to persuade their colleagues to vote the right way. If they say "My phones are ringing off the hook about this issue," it can help persuade other politicians that this issue matters to voters. If your rep is in denial, it's much harder to dismiss the issue if their phones won't stop ringing.
Either way you look at it, it's support or pressure that they're not used to. They want to be re-elected. If they know we're watching and will hold them accountable with our vote, they are more apt to rethink their position on an issue.