Darkwind
Diamond Member
- Jun 18, 2009
- 35,167
- 19,790
- 1,915
First, a disclaimer for those who come here just to call people names without the fear of getting hit in the mouth.
I am the first to defend the right of every American citizen to attend any public meeting held by their elected Representatives for the purpose of discussing pending legislation or public policy.
Who is really being silence in these town hall meetings? After all, the purpose of these meetings is for our elected representatives to hear from their constituents, but more importantly, to hear from those who disagree.
The First Amendment does not exist to protect popular speech, but to protect unpopular speech. It also exists to protect the rights of the citizenship to disagree and debate with their elected representatives. After all, there is little need to protect the speech of those who agree with pending legislation or of popular speech. In short, "Yes Men" are rarely silenced.
So what purpose is served by those who agree to pending legislation in a town hall meeting? After all, they agree with what is about to go down. Our legislators NEED to be hearing from those who oppose their plans MORE then they need to have their ego's stroked. Why is this you may ask?
It is nearly impossible to convey anger, betrayal, hurt and fear in an email and there is no real way that an elected representative could take the phone call of every person in their district. That is why they have town hall meetings. To reach as many as possible. There is no real need to convey happiness for legislation. After all, human nature being what it is, the elected person likely just fills in the jubilation themselves during the process of patting themselves on the back.
The bottom line is that the voices that need to be heard the most are those in dissent. After all, if you are surrounded by yes men, the only opinion you hear is your own. And we all know that elected representatives are not in their job for your benefit or some sense of wishing to server their country.
So, as I'm writing this, I decided I'd make a little poll and see what kind of results I'll get on this.
I am the first to defend the right of every American citizen to attend any public meeting held by their elected Representatives for the purpose of discussing pending legislation or public policy.
Who is really being silence in these town hall meetings? After all, the purpose of these meetings is for our elected representatives to hear from their constituents, but more importantly, to hear from those who disagree.
The First Amendment does not exist to protect popular speech, but to protect unpopular speech. It also exists to protect the rights of the citizenship to disagree and debate with their elected representatives. After all, there is little need to protect the speech of those who agree with pending legislation or of popular speech. In short, "Yes Men" are rarely silenced.
So what purpose is served by those who agree to pending legislation in a town hall meeting? After all, they agree with what is about to go down. Our legislators NEED to be hearing from those who oppose their plans MORE then they need to have their ego's stroked. Why is this you may ask?
It is nearly impossible to convey anger, betrayal, hurt and fear in an email and there is no real way that an elected representative could take the phone call of every person in their district. That is why they have town hall meetings. To reach as many as possible. There is no real need to convey happiness for legislation. After all, human nature being what it is, the elected person likely just fills in the jubilation themselves during the process of patting themselves on the back.
The bottom line is that the voices that need to be heard the most are those in dissent. After all, if you are surrounded by yes men, the only opinion you hear is your own. And we all know that elected representatives are not in their job for your benefit or some sense of wishing to server their country.
So, as I'm writing this, I decided I'd make a little poll and see what kind of results I'll get on this.
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