“https://forms.house.gov/baird/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm";
email I just sent. Not in his district, but I know of him:
Dear Congressman Baird -
I am not directly a constituent, but I am involved with one of the Army Reserve Units in your District. I have had a great deal of respect and admiration for your support of the military, but that has recently been quite shaken.
I recently read that you were quoted in the the August 6, 2009 edition of the Columbian (http://www.columbian.com/article/20090806/NEWS02/708069952) that you will be holding “telephone town halls” instead of in-person.
You were quoted as saying that you “were using the new system because (you) fear (your) political opponents may be planning “an ambush” to disrupt (your) meetings, using methods (you)compared to Nazism.”
Frankly, sir, I find it completely disgusting that you refuse to meet in person with those whom you claim to represent. You were courageous enough to make several trips to visit troops in Iraq (with real bullets flying), but can’t (or won’t) face mere words.
I also find it disgusting that you would compare patriotic American citizens, who care deeply about the effects of this ill-considered and misguided power grab (under the guise of health-care “reform”) on this country, to members of the arguably most reprehensible political movement in modern times, all for the fact that they would exercise their inalienable right to free speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Yet I find that you apparently made no similar reference to those of a Democrat Party bent when they would similarly disrupt Republican or conservative representatives or speakers, or even President Bush.
To make matters worse, the time and date of the phone conference IS BEING KEPT SECRET! Is that any way to encourage the people’s participation in our representative republic (not a ‘democracy’)? I submit to you, sir, that it is quite the opposite. You would apparently rather hear smooth words and gentle talk from sycophants rather than the justified honest opinions of a broad spectrum of those you claim to represent - and who also pay you salary and expenses. That is hardly the attitude expected from a Congressman. This only further exposes you as a puppet of special interests and party rather than a representative of your district.
I don’t see Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers pulling this kind of stunt. If you can’t or won’t face your constituents in person, sir, I would also submit that you should step down. If you can’t take the heat, it’s time to depart the kitchen.
I respectfully recommend that you face up to all your constituents, in person, and earn back the respect that your recent actions has tarnished.