Moderately amusing story.<p>I was born and raised in the USA, but my parents emigrated from Italy.<p>About 20 years ago, my brother applied to grad school @ MIT (physics department).<p>Somehow, my father got it in his mind that he would &quot;help out&quot; by contacting the US Congressman in our district (whom he knew somewhat well) so that the Congressman could contact the physics department and facilitate my brother&#x27;s acceptance.<p>Predictably, my brother blew a head-gasket. He tried explaining that:<p>* he would feel incredible shame if he was accepted due to outside meddling.<p>* the chances of this working to my brother&#x27;s advantage were approximately zero.<p>* it might even _reduce_ the likelihood of acceptance.<p>The funniest part was that my father was bewildered by our reaction. His attitude was _&quot;I don&#x27;t understand you people. This is how you get things done!&quot;_