Posted on 08/22/2009 8:26:19 PM PDT by MitchellC
Democracy yelled this month. But some Democrats in Congress didn't want to hear it.
With Congress recessed, opponents of the Democrat health-care proposals flooded streets and assembly halls. At times, they've been loud, unruly and confrontational.
That has made some Democrats uncomfortable. Several Democratic members of Congress from North Carolina have declined to appear at meetings and take questions from the public.
Among them is Rep. Brad Miller, a Raleigh Democrat who represents the 13th District, which stretches to Greensboro. Miller said Friday that he hasn't held a town-hall style meeting in four years, partly because they were sparsely attended.
That wouldn't have been a problem this year.
He said he feared opponents of the Democrats' health plans would disrupt the meetings, "shout me down and talk over anyone else," as they have in some other states. "That kind of conduct is not democratic debate," he said. "It doesn't advance the debate."
Miller said he is talking with citizens in other ways. He is taking questions on radio and television and meeting with small groups, including opponents of the Democrat plans.
But that's not the same as taking questions face-to-face from an open-to-the-public crowd. With good security, ground rules and a skilled moderator, a public meeting can be orderly (one was held in Durham last week).
But this is the United States. If you want to stand up, identify yourself and yell at a government representative, you ought to be able to.
If you happen to be that government representative, no doubt it's not pleasant to take constituents' wrath.
But it goes with the territory. Any member of Congress, with a staff and reams of good information, ought to be able to answer questions and deliver a cohesive argument for why a piece of major legislation should or should not pass. If you can't hold your own with Joe Sixpack from Roxboro, should you be in Congress?
To their credit, some area Democrats did take questions in a public forum. Reps. Bob Etheridge, David Price and G.K. Butterfield did so. Those forums were held in areas -- or run by an organization -- friendly to the congressmen. But the bottom line is they took questions at meetings anyone could attend.
"Every member of Congress, one way or another, needs to do this," Price said.
When the pressure is on, you get points for showing up and taking the heat. From the people asking the barbed questions, an elected official might even learn a thing or two.
Brad Miller's death threatPosted by David N. Bass at 11:09 AM
I don't mean to be cynical (well, maybe I do), but Congressman Brad Miller's death-threat saga has played out just the way I thought it would.
The Plum Line blog has the scoop:
The Capitol Police have decided not to prosecute the person who made a death threat to Dem Rep. Brad Miller’s office earlier this month, Miller spokesperson LuAnn Canipe tells us.“We were notified that there’s not going to be a criminal prosecution,” Canipe tells our reporter, Beth Marlowe, confirming that no reason was given.
Miller has acknowledged that the death threat was so vague, he doubted prosecution would result. He also said he didn't fear for his life.
Despite all that, Miller used the death threat as a kinda-sorta-maybe excuse for not facing his constituents on the health-care issue. A lot of observers, like myself, continue to wonder whether that was simply a way to avoid some uncomfortable questions ... could it be?
Thanks for this report and the other NC pings.
Brad Miller - just another Pelosi Democrat who cannot tolerate his constituents’ opposition to his continual liberal voting record.
For instance, he got into a fight with Sarah Palin over global warming and the plight of the poor polar bears who were going to die out because of the melting ice.
Imagine Miller arguing with Sarah Palin over polar bears!
What are his credentials to speak on the subject?
What are Palin’s?
He is an idiot for not listening to her instead of running his mouth. He had an opportunity to learn but instead made a fool of himself.
Idiot!
I wonder, has Representative David Price had any town hall meetings?? He is my representative...
Yes David Price and another Congress critter held one Town Hall - so far that’s the only one I know about by him.
Price - who was gerry mandered by the NC Dems into a Congressional seat that is difficult if not impossible to tear him from - is a very smooth talking extremely liberal Pelosi led Democrat who needs to get KICKED out of office...but, alas, as I said, after he lost his seat in 1994 to former Raleigh Police Chief - Henrichs (not sure I spelled that right) - the NC Dems gerrymandered his district so he now has one section of it very heavily minority populated....making it a “sure bet” Dem seat!
I haven’t been represented in Congress since Price has been there. He is most liberal and MOST disgustingly smug and arrogant.
You’re right. I now live in Miller’s district (the cowardly weasel), but years ago I attended a town hall meeting with Price when we lived in a different part of Raleigh. Smug, arrogant, condescending, haughty........doesn’t cover it.
I also ate his sorry ass alive...without ever raising my voice. Made him look like the idiot he really is. I loved it.
So did the other meeting attendees......:)
My sister-in-law lives in Cary. I am astounded at the hold the Democrat Party has on North Carolina. I would have figured that the state would be more conservative.
Time for Miller’s face to go on Milk Cartons beneath these wors; “Has Anyone Seen This Person” “Call 1-888-LIB-TARD”
HI there = I wish I had been there when you had your confrontation with David Price!!! He needs to be retired from Congress post haste - so whoever is running against him - and also whoever is running against Miller - have my total support!
LOL - Sandrat - agreed!
Yes, NC used to be more conservative - but the Dems have this stranglehold on our state and it is making it more and more unfriendly to businesses and taxpayers.....so very sad to say.
We used to be the “good roads” state. Now our roads have gone to pot and we are the highest taxed state in the Southeast.
I don’t know what it will take to disgust enough N. Carolinians to boot them out of their seats of power....
My congressman, Mike McIntyre who bills himself as “conservative” is in hiding too.
Yes she is - and here I thought no one would be worse than TaxEasley!!
NOt good - have you called his office?
Wife did. Stated she wanted to talk about health care. Immediately got transferred to another line. Which never picked up.
Vernon was right.
One of the best political adds ever was Brad Miller’s Mariachi Party.
Excellent - they will BOTH get my support - thanks!
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