This is *** vlog editorial. Last week I received an email from *** viewer that I want to share with you. The viewer wrote saying with everything that's currently going on in Washington DC, it's time for our senators and members of Congress to return to Iowa and give us an explanation. The viewer goes on to write, Iowans, Democrat and Republican, are concerned. We have questions but aren't getting answers. The viewer closed the email with *** recommendation that our elected officials hold public town halls. I know most, if not all, our federal lawmakers do this, but in this time of great uncertainty, it may be time for them to do even more town hall meetings than they are used to doing. Additionally, it would be wise to hold them in locations that can seat *** lot of people. It's clear to me our viewers' perception is that the town halls currently held by our lawmakers are only for supporters. I think that misconception occurs because the ways we find out about our lawmakers listening meetings is generally from their websites, social media posts, or an email. It can feel like you need to be an insider to be invited to attend. Our lawmakers would be wise to recognize this. Further, they should increase the size and frequency of their town hall meetings and finally publicize the details in lots of ways that make it easy for the public to find the information. Every 2 and 4 years, voters exercise their voices. The ballot box, but during this time of great change, it's more important than ever we the people can share our thoughts, be heard, seen and valued by the people we have sent to represent us in Congress. vlog welcomes responsible replies to this editorial.
Editorial: Hold elected officials accountable by sharing your concerns with them
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Updated: 5:25 PM CST Mar 7, 2025
Last week I received an email from a viewer that I want to share with you.The viewer wrote saying, “With everything that’s currently going on in Washington, DC, it’s time for our senators and members of Congress to return to Iowa and give us an explanation." The viewer goes on to write, “Iowans, Democrat and Republican, are concerned. We have questions but aren’t getting answers.” The viewer closed the email with a recommendation: that our elected officials hold public townhalls. I know most, if not all our federal lawmakers do this. But in this time of great uncertainty, it may be time for them to do even more townhall meeting than their used to. Additionally, it would be wise to hold them in locations that can seat a lot of people. It’s clear to me, our viewer’s perception is that the town halls currently held by our lawmakers are only for supporters. I think that misconception occurs because the ways we find out about our lawmakers’ listening meetings is generally from their websites, social media posts or emails. It can feel like you need to be an insider to be invited to attend. Our lawmakers would be wise to recognize this. Further, they should increase the size and frequency of their town hall meetings. And finally, publicize the details in lots of ways that make it easy for the public to find the information.Every two- and four-years voters exercise their voices at the ballot box. But during this time of great change, it’s more important than ever we the people can share our thoughts, be heard, seen and valued by the people we have sent to represent us in Congress.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Last week I received an email from a viewer that I want to share with you.
The viewer wrote saying, “With everything that’s currently going on in Washington, DC, it’s time for our senators and members of Congress to return to Iowa and give us an explanation." The viewer goes on to write, “Iowans, Democrat and Republican, are concerned. We have questions but aren’t getting answers.”
The viewer closed the email with a recommendation: that our elected officials hold public townhalls. I know most, if not all our federal lawmakers do this. But in this time of great uncertainty, it may be time for them to do even more townhall meeting than their used to. Additionally, it would be wise to hold them in locations that can seat a lot of people. It’s clear to me, our viewer’s perception is that the town halls currently held by our lawmakers are only for supporters. I think that misconception occurs because the ways we find out about our lawmakers’ listening meetings is generally from their websites, social media posts or emails. It can feel like you need to be an insider to be invited to attend.
Our lawmakers would be wise to recognize this. Further, they should increase the size and frequency of their town hall meetings. And finally, publicize the details in lots of ways that make it easy for the public to find the information.
Every two- and four-years voters exercise their voices at the ballot box. But during this time of great change, it’s more important than ever we the people can share our thoughts, be heard, seen and valued by the people we have sent to represent us in Congress.
