I was just using that new-fangled thing some call the Google Machine and I found out about a great way for you to connect with your constituents! So I thought I’d share it with you because I remember in one of your debates, you said something to the effect that you enjoy the rough and tumble of a debate where your ideas could be challenged. This idea isn’t actually a new one, but dates back to our colonial era when our democracy was being born. So I bet you would really be interested in doing something that is so fundamental to our democracy, right?
It’s called a town hall. Here is the Wikipedia link where you can read all about it.
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It seems to me to be a great way to stay in touch with your constituents. It’s also a way you can get some feedback from them about what you do down in Washington; namely, your votes on legislation. All your constituents can be invited to attend, far in advance, so they can make plans to come. The free press can be there too so they can report to everyone (including those who couldn’t attend) exactly how you respond to the questions so everyone gets the same story. And no one would be excluded from asking questions since all people, no matter what their political party was, would be invited. Sounds like a great idea, eh?
Now that you know about the idea, maybe you should set up a schedule for one every quarter. That way people can plan to attend them and then you can get some real questions and real feedback about your votes from the people you are supposed to represent. You know, no one person has all the answers (despite what our fact-challenged president says). After all, this isn’t a dictatorship... yet. If you listen to your constituents, they may help you make better decisions. It’s the democratic thing to do.
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Here is another benefit of having town halls. When it’s election time, everyone would be real familiar with how you have voted and then they can make a better decision as to whether or not to elect you again. That way you won’t have to resort to calling your next opponent a friend of cop-killers or a hater of Israel, since everyone would know clearly about your voting record.
So I am looking forward to your town hall schedule. Surely if the patriots in the 18th century had them, so can you. What do you have to be afraid of? You don’t have anything to be ashamed of, do you?
