Citizens need ‘face’ time with Inslee | Letters | Aug. 14

Published 2:15 pm Friday, August 14, 2009

As most residents of Kitsap County enjoy the blessings of our beautiful summer weather, the Obama Administration and Congress are pushing with breathtaking speed to completely change the basis of American life through what will be, if enacted, a system of complete government control of all aspects of medical care in this nation.

During the August congressional recess, our congressman, Rep. Jay Inslee needs to schedule two or more open public meetings so that constituents can ask him questions about his position on this legislation. His constiutents need to provide him with face-to-face input from those of us who do not reside in the beltway of Washington, D.C.

Such meetings should be held in the evenings to allow working people to attend, and be widely advertised well in advance to allow constituent to make plans to attend.

Rep. Inlsee’s closely controlled “telephone Town Halls” are not a sufficient opportunity for constituent input, and not adequate or sufficient in a representative democracy.

Direct public discussion with constituents is not an option in a democracy, nor a discretionary decision of a representative on matter of national significance. It is a requirement and a sacred duty.

As hundreds of young Americans from our communities stand in harm’s way for our freedoms overseas, Rep. Inslee should have the courage to face his own fellow citizens here on our own soil.

Phil McCrudden

Bainbridge Island