Some members of Congress are still playing the game I used to love when I was a kid, "hide and go seek."
I called my Congressional representative's office yesterday to find out when he was going to be holding "Town Hall" meetings. It's my understanding that a part of the time when Congress in on recess, is used by some elected representatives to once again "connect with the people" in their districts.
It seems like "connect with the people" has taken on a new meaning during this recess. I was told that Representative Sarbanes would be conducting "telephone town halls." The staffer told me that these are like "radio talk shows," where you could call in and get your questions answered. After I questioned him about this, he agreed that the "questions" were monitored and filtered. So much for transparency.
The problem as I see it with this approach, is that you typically only get one side of the argument. The one that agrees with your position...DUH! That certainly isn't representative government.
To their credit, they did say that they were still trying to work out the logistics of having actual "town hall" meetings in person, and "hoped" to have them soon. Being the skeptic that I am, I'll give them credit for "accomplishments," not "intentions." I may be close, but I do live outside the beltway, where we believe that words have meaning. I guess this recess must have snuck up on everybody.
I asked why Representative Sarbanes met us in person when he was looking for our votes, but now has to hide behind a telephone to discuss difficult issues. They thanked me for my call.
Now, if my memory serves me, if we couldn't find someone in hide and seek, we ended the game by saying, "allie, allie, in for free."
Representative Sarbanes..."come out, come out, wherever you are." Some of your Maryland constituents are tired of playing Washington games.
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
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Rich Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).
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Richarrd, I think at everyone is tired of playing washington games...
Richard - a great analogy, they are hiding behind these phone town halls because they do not want to listen to their constituents. The want to demagogue at those meetings.
They don't have anything reassuring or upbeat to talk to us about, so they are staying hidden. Also, I don't believe our elected officials even know what is going on anymore..so how can they answer our questions?
Seems to me that they would not need some big add campaign to simply show up and answer some questions. If he shows up, they will come. In order to "show up" he would have also had to do some homework and perhaps read a document or two so that he could actually answer some questions and most of them are far too busy for that.
Throw all the bums out in the next election, even the good ones so that we as Americans can show them we are still in the game. The lifers and low lifers have got to go.
They are spineless and worst yet clueless. Their position is so bad, they hide instead of defending it.
Rich...
Everyone voted for "change" and they got it! Don't expect anything any different any time soon.
Rich, I think every community has a huge football field that is equipped with a sound sytem, why can't they have public audiences there? A place is not hard to find .. the courage to hold the meeting is the issue... Few Congress members know what the bill says so they can not defend it. First you have to read it.
an aside to RIchard W... not EVERYONE voted for change. I love the new bumper stick that say, AND HOW IS THAT CHANGE WORKING OUT FOR YOU?
Richard - It appears that many in DC will actually taking vacations this year, and to discreet locations.
I am not apporving of the "political games" but our way of communicating is changing by the day
We (realtors) now sit in front of a computer and write blogs instead of going to the chamber meeting in person to network.
Hide and seek ---city hall---no.... we call our city hall the pink elephant. Think about that for a minute.
Shelton
Mike, From your lips to their ears. Not gonna happen though.
Mike, I expect more from a Congressional representative. They're from the peoples house.
Kris, It's a complicated country right now but that doesn't excuse them from checking in with their constituents.
Ed, There are some very good proposals out there that could be implemented in less than a thousand pages.
Charles, I am an absolute believer in term limits.
Terry, Many are but I don't think John Sarbanes is. That's why the telephone thing is confusing.
Richard, Yep...every time we vote, we vote for change. We have an administration that serves the whole country, not just some constituents. Listen to everybody.
Gail, There are plenty of places to hold in person town hall meetings. Love the bumper sticker.
John, Some of them should stay on vacation. Washington would be a better place.
Ann, I don't think that this is about communicating differently. It's about controlling the message.
Shelton, Oh, you must mean the "invisible" pink elephant.
Richard - the are from what was originally intended to be "the people's house", however, they left that behind a long time ago.
Hi Mike
Our local Congressman Ron Kline scheduled a town hall meeting and did not show up he send a assistant. I would call it hide and seek and contemp to the people who voted for him whick I did and will not do again.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Hi Rich:
That's exactly how I remember playing hide and seek also!
Seems like lately, more and more games are played.