Front Line Poorly Prepared for Engaged Citizens

Washington, D.C., March 16 & 21: I accompanied fellow TEA Party patriots from New Hampshire and other concerned citizens from across the nation into congressional offices to state our objections to the unpopular health care "reform" bill. Largely, those who greeted us were young, inexperienced and poorly prepared aides.

Blissfully Unaware of A Terrible Blunder

As someone who once held a public relations post I was stunned by the poor preparation displayed by many of these aides. The only explanation that I could come up with may be the fact that our politicians have never faced an American public this engaged in the political process. They are still responding as if we are asleep and have little interest in how they twist the Constitution to serve special interests that increasingly appear far afield from the interests of the average citizen in a free republic.

This inept front line is a major public relations blunder. To give two examples... In the office of N.H. Representative Carol Shea-Porter, a N.H. resident cited the U.S. postal service as an example of inefficient big government. A young aide told her that the postal service is not government operated! Our patriot told him that her father had worked for the postal service and that she knew a thing or two about it. The government can organize the postal service as its own profit center, but it is still a government entity.

Shaky Under Intense Questioning

In another office of a "swing vote" Democrat, the young aide seemed nervous and ill suited for front line work. He told a N.H. resident that he had been told not to answer questions about the representative's stand. When pressed further, he blurted out, "I don't come into your place of work and ask questions about how you do your job?" Our citizen shot back, "I work in the private sector. You work for US!"

In One Ear and Out the Other???

In several other cases, seemingly bored young aides impassively listened to our views, but did not take notes or give any indication that they were considering our points. We were left feeling that our input went in one ear and out the other.

We reached N.H. Senator Jeanne Shaheen's office just as they were about to leave for the day. To her credit, she took the time to meet with us outside in the hall for 15 min. She did answer one citizen's question, "Does Senator Shaheen think health care is a right?" in the affirmative. We disagreed with this viewpoint. But, again, there was no note taking and we were left wondering if any of our points would reach the senator's ears.

A Credit to the Process

The one place where we the citizens were accorded professional treatment I mentioned in the blog posting TEA Party Patriots Hit Congressional Offices. There, we were greeted by a mature, well informed legislative aide, a credit to Minnesota, who took us into a conference room and attentively listened to our views. One can only hope that other citizens had at least one such positive experience. If not, they would have come away from D.C. with the sense that representative government is not working AT ALL.

New Day Dawning with American Voter

There is a major shift going on with American citizens. Increasingly, they are engaged, informed and demanding that politicians hear their concerns and act to represent we the people and not special interests or power groups. Those representatives and senators who do not take the time to train and inform the young people staffing their front lines are making a huge mistake.

In one office, another "swing state" representative, we protested the unconstitutional use of the "Slaughter Solution" then being considered to circumvent proper legislative procedures. The young aide did not know what it was!! Such poor preparation of front line staff does not instill confidence in elected representatives.

Heed the Game Change

There has been a game change. We the people will be coming to your state and federal offices more and more. Wake up, politicians, before you lose all credibility with your constituents.