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!
