I think that's what he alludes to with "hard work" and "not as fast". If you invested huge amounts of capital and campaigning, bought advertisements, setup protests, got on the news, etc. etc. perhaps enough people might notice. Doesn't mean it's effective to write a letter.
I helped change a law in Italy despite not having a lot of money or "knowing anyone". Myself and others worked on it on and off for about two years before getting a foot in the right door.
It's kind of a minor issue, and low hanging fruit, but still, I'm proud of it.
You are right on about writing letters. Go ahead and do it, but know that it's not enough.
Look at the civil rights movement in the US. I'm glad they didn't just decide that, having written a letter or two, and not having seen any change, that it was impossible and to give up.