Democracy

 Town Hall Meeting with(out) Representative

Jodey Arrington 

 It started with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

of the UNITED States of America,

ONE nation INDIVISIBLE, with liberty and justice for ALL.

It concluded with gratitude to those who showed up to speak out,

to those who organized the event and made it happen,

and to Representative Arrington for arousing the interest and passion

that got us all there,

resulting in a very successful town hall meeting.

I was proud to be part of an event that was anything but "political theatre",

as Mr. Arrington feared.

I regret that he didn't take advantage of this opportunity

for thoughtful civil discourse.

I think he would have been pleasantly surprised

at the quality of the questions,

as well as the questioners.

I know I was. Onward and upward!

He says he'll be scheduling "town halls" in the future.

Let's keep checking in until they happen.

Mr. Arrington,

I am a citizen of Lubbock, Texas, and one of your constituents. 

I am, therefore, looking to you for representation in the months ahead

as the US government addresses the significant and highly controversial issues of our time.

How, may I ask, will you be able to represent me if you do not know what I think?

How does democracy work for me, if you are not listening to my concerns? 

I fear that because our community and our state traditionally have voted

in a particular political direction, that those of us who have a different perspective

will be overlooked, ignored, and avoided.

Mr. Arrington, I want to know how I can be assured that you ARE listening to me,

that you ARE open to hearing opinions and concerns of all your constituents,

and that you ARE available, in person, to have sane and civil conversations. 

I look forward to your response.  

You missed a great town hall event, Jodey!