TOWN HALLS SET WITH OR WITHOUT LEADERS
Look at the brave and strong Chattanoogans and Tennesseans (Georgians and Alabamians, too) who are getting involved in issues and politics to ask our state and national leaders to hear us and represent us!
Forget partisanship for a moment: It’s wonderful — just wonderful — to see the peaceful assemblies of citizens carrying signs and asking to meet or talk with our representatives.
In Chattanooga — and the nation — these gatherings for congressional “recess week” began on Monday. Though, in all fairness, it actually started on Jan. 21 — the day after President Donald Trump took the oath of office. That was the day millions took the streets for the Women’s March (from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles to New York to Chattanooga.)
Eight years before, the peaceful protests were called the tea party movement. This time, it’s called Indivisible.
Whatever the name, there is little more warming to people who love democracy than to see political activism among ordinary people — people who move themselves beyond mid-day television to make it clear to our leaders that their leadership starts with us and is owed to us.
On Monday, about 100 people gathered in Miller Park to put pressure on Sen. Bob Corker, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Rep. Scott DesJarlais, all of Tennessee, to meet with them or at least attend a town hall planned in the Chattanooga Public Library on Friday at 4 p.m.
So far the result is no.
The Times Free Press polled 10 senators and representatives in the Tri-State area this week — all white, male and Republican — asking if they will attend public town halls. Through spokesmen, seven responded. None plan to attend.
Our Congress members — along with Georgia Rep. Tom Graves and Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue and Alabama’s Rep. Mo Brooks and Sens. Richard Shelby and Luther Strange, should be ashamed.
If they don’t find a time to take the questions and hear the concerns of their constituents — blue or red — they do not deserve their seats in Congress. It’s just that simple.
Corker is said to be out of the country for work with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Fleischmann, Alexander, DesJarlais and Rep. Mo Brooks are said to be busy with other meetings. According to Vice News, more than 200 Republican congressmen are skipping town halls during the recess.
But don’t worry, congressmen. Grassroot activism will move right on with or without you.
Organizers have been and will continue encouraging people to call, mail and email you about their concerns — especially those who find President Trump’s policies, appointments and pronouncements frightening.
What’s more, if you don’t accept these invitations to meet with your constitutents, activists will hold the town halls anyway — putting a cardboard cutout of you at the front of the room. The cardboard will be just as voiceless as you have beeb. And the cameras will still be whirring.
Find your sense of duty, gentlemen.
You will appear far more worthy of respect if you do.