Town Hall Meetings - Rasmussen Poll

[Ben]

With the caveat that polls are statistics, and we all know how they can be manipulated, it really bothers me that over 1/3 of polled voters believe that Town Hall meetings are where you go to shut up and listen to your representative.

It seems pretty intuitive that a representative should be there to listen to his or her constituents' concerns. That only half of the polled voters felt this way is rather bothersome for a Representative Republic.

Rasmussen Poll

[Standing Wolf]

That only half of the polled voters felt this way is rather bothersome for a Representative Republic.

Yep. Our elected misrepresentatives represent lobbyists far more than us; we don't help by becoming a nation of sheeple.

[MicroBalrog]

I think it is arguable that part of the role of the Town Hall Meetings - in an honest and decent society - is for the Congressman to talk to the people, too.

Let me explain my thought process.

A lot of people don't really understand how politics work. Often most people don't understand how Congressional Comittees work and how a bill develops and is approved etc.

So, imagine Congressman Jones is expected by people in his district to pass a bill.

He comes homes and explains: "Look, guys, I know I promised, and I know that our party is in charge of Congress at the moment, but see, the bill needs to pass the Committee of Blue Widgets before it goes on to a vote, and Congressman Bob is in charge of that one, and he doesn't like my bill very much because he wants it to provide for issue Z."

And then the citizens are either satisfied with his explanation, or they are not.

[Gewehr98]

I would imagine his talking would be somewhat shortened when he saw the buckets of tar and bags of feathers being passed around...

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

the rail has the effect of being a conversation stopper as well

[MechAg94]

Wouldn't just calling it a "Town Hall" indicate it is at least in part for the purpose of hearing the townspeople voice their opinions?  Otherwise, they should just call it a speech. 

[Monkeyleg]

Usually, town hall meetings and such are just theater. The decisions have already been made and the input of citizens goes into the circular file.

This time around it's different because of the level of anger.

[Standing Wolf]

Usually, town hall meetings and such are just theater.

Yeah, but mediocre theater.