tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post2124530610227069065..comments2023-08-20T07:06:14.115-04:00Comments on Thurber's Thoughts: No town halls for Kaptur during recess; group asks her to be accountableMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-22270657580751685512009-08-06T10:49:48.699-04:002009-08-06T10:49:48.699-04:00This letter is excellent. I have attended a Child...This letter is excellent. I have attended a Children of Liberty meeting and I will tell you this group knows their stuff. The crap and tax presentation was awesome. <br /><br />Yes, Marcy, you do need to meet with and hear us. We are your boss. We have the right to know how our money is being spent. We have the right to ask you questions. We have the right to know what constituents are telling you do do by know the numbers of the yes and no votes on a certain issue. How do we know if you are working for us or the special interest that add to your campaign warchest. You do need to be accountable to us, the voters. You signed onto this gig. It's part of the job. Now put on your big girl panties, man up and answer our questions.<br /><br />How about making it easy for her. We can meet in front of her office at the Maritime Building.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-32866181709888918692009-08-05T19:23:09.685-04:002009-08-05T19:23:09.685-04:00ah, Jack, let me agree and disagree.
I'm a bi...ah, Jack, let me agree and disagree.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of the Mackinac Center and completely agree about the 'nice politician.'<br /><br />But the staff person I spoke to was NOT the politician. <br /><br />I've had plenty of conversations with staff who work for elected officials who are not nice, not polite, not professional, etc... (a certain new county commissioner who hired a Blade reporter as his assistant comes to mind).<br /><br />It was a nice conversation I had with the staffer who was helpful, comprehensive and businesslike. Even though she was certain I wasn't looking for the information so I could show up with flowers for Marcy, she did not let my opinion on her boss's positions influence the way she handled my call. Complimenting the staff person for the way she handled my inquiry, especially in light of all the negative press representatives are getting over their meetings, is an appropriate thing to do. <br /><br />I hope you'll agree that there is a difference.Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-75218878013521590062009-08-05T19:13:24.455-04:002009-08-05T19:13:24.455-04:00I couldn't help think of the item below when I...I couldn't help think of the item below when I read the "nice talk with a staffer" phrase. Polite, civil, businesslike, etc. all fit, but dealings with politicians out to screw us are like getting a traffic ticket - "nice" is not an adjective that appplies. <br /><br />(I know you already know all this Maggie, and apologize for jumping on a particular turn of phrase).<br /><br /><br />From Mackinac Center Tea Party Activist Toolbox (http://www.mackinac.org/archives/2009/TEApartytoolbox.pdf:<br /><br />Tea Party activists aren't impressed that their politician is a "nice guy."<br /><br />Being likeable isn't needed for a person to succeed in America. An insufferable jerk can build a billion-dollar corporation from scratch, employ thousands, save the whales and cure cancer.<br /><br />What he can't do is win an election. To gain votes in a democracy a candidate must be likeable. The reason political campaigns feature photos of the candidate's family and pets is not because they want voters to assume that he or she has a responsible record on taxes and spending.<br /><br />Therefore, the last thing that should ever impress a Tea Party activist is a politician who's a "nice guy." Simply put: They're all nice guys, so get over it and ignore it. Hold them accountable for their deeds rather than their smile. The Tea Parties were a reaction against a lot of very nice guys doing very bad things.Jack McHughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11996725074954365568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-84263750904802617322009-08-05T11:40:36.878-04:002009-08-05T11:40:36.878-04:00Thanks Mad Jack!
As for the security - I agree. ...Thanks Mad Jack!<br /><br />As for the security - I agree. There is, however, a difference between hiding and not making public appearances versus not publishing the time/location of all public appearances...<br /><br />But it sure does make it hard to find a representative and speak to them....Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677808307727487766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21829866.post-75041365504638835182009-08-05T11:30:02.473-04:002009-08-05T11:30:02.473-04:00This is a great post. Lately you've been hitt...This is a great post. Lately you've been hitting them out of the ball park. Nice job!<br /><br />I once heard Marcy Kaptur speak at a local bookstore (the only time I've heard her in person) and I felt she did a good job of preaching to the choir. It's past time that Ms. Kaptur and our other elected representatives made themselves available to the mere civilians.<br /><br />On the topic of security and the public availability of elected officials, I would like to point out that if officials continue to hide themselves and the workings of government behind the blue wall, they are making themselves vulnerable during their next election. All their opponent needs to do is begin answering the phone and addressing the problems and concerns of the people.Mad Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06190137186843630543noreply@blogger.com