Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety — welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting, the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress.
Still don't think our government is out of control? The people have spoken, they are not happy with the way things are being run. What have some of our congressman decided to do? Shut out the voices.
In at least one case, a congressman has stopped holding town hall events because the situation has spiraled so far out of control.
“I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to temporarily suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”
Firstly Rep. Bishop is obviously not listening to his constituents, or he would realize where the problem lies. Secondly if this were some minority group airing their grievances everyone would be forced to listen, to not do so would be discriminatory. However because these are regular tax paying citizens with no special interest group to lean on it's okay to sweep them under the rug. My final issue stems from this statement made by Rep. Bishop.
“I have no problem with someone disagreeing with positions I hold,” Bishop said, noting that, for the time being, he was using other platforms to communicate with his constituents. “But I also believe no one is served if you can’t talk through differences.”
Who gives a damn what your positions are. The fact of the matter is Congressional reps have one job. Listen to and record the grievances and opinions of the people they represent, and carry those to Washington. These people were not elected to tell us what is best for us, they were elected to serve as our go between with the White House. I think many in Congress have outgrown their positions, and it's time for a housecleaning. If we allow this to continue how long will it be before all government business is conducted behind closed doors?
The Stranger
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