Womack’s town meetings encourage frustrations

On Aug. 28, I attended Congressman Steve Womack’s town hall meeting in Rogers. I’ve participated in a few of these larger town halls as one of his constituents and they have been similar in tone and rhetoric. Congressman Womack insists on beginning his town halls with lengthy presentations as attendees become evermore anxious as the opportunity to ask their congressman questions about his voting record and voice their concerns disappears.

Mr. Womack’s policies and legislative record are public knowledge available to interested constituents through newspaper articles or social media. Many of Mr. Womack’s constituents communicate their concerns about issues and legislation to his staff through email, calls or letters, but these town halls provide a unique opportunity to communicate with him in person. Frustration builds among attendees and Congressman Womack at these events, resulting in an unruly crowd facing a very angry congressman.

I’ve expressed this concern to Mr. Womack’s staff, suggesting changes to the congressman’s town halls to provide a more positive outcome for all. Beginning the town hall with a question-and-answer format where both parties know they have a time limit for asking and answering questions would be better. Mr. Womack and staff should facilitate the opportunity for additional discussion as either party desires through email, telephone contact or letter form. This approach provides the opportunity for more questions from constituents during the town hall, thereby diminishing frustration and anger levels. A new format provides the opportunity for Mr. Womack to listen to his constituents concerns. Congressman Womack could finish his town hall with his graph-filled presentation highlighting his accomplishments.

Presently, Congressman Womack’s town halls are unproductive and unsatisfying. He seems to detest these events and the audience is appalled as our representative becomes angrier while ignoring questions and wandering completely off topic.

Wednesday evening the town hall spiraled into a public meltdown. The atmosphere became emotional and hateful resulting in a barrage of regrettable comments from the attendees and the congressman. At one point the congressman suggested the recent gun violence within our nation was a result of parents’ unwillingness to administer corporal punishment for disciplining their children. He cited single-parent families as another cause. He suggested public schools reflect his religious views as a remedy. Crowd reaction was overwhelmingly negative.

Perhaps Mr. Womack should review the United States Constitution he often references because I understand it supports the separation of church and state and does not support child abuse.

These are town hall meetings, not campaign rallies. In the future, I am hopeful Mr. Womack is able to make changes in his approach to town hall meetings resulting in more positive experiences.

KRISTEN MEYER Fayetteville