Okay, what kind of "change" did you expect when the GOP took charge? More transparency? Legislators actually paying attention to their constituents?
Sorry, that's not what you're getting. No, what you're getting is something even more repulsive: The Legislature wants the public, their constituents, to have LESS access to Legislators. Not more access, LESS access. Don't believe me? They're PROUD of this new initiative.
http://tinyurl.com/4qex9zy
The EXCUSE they are using is that they need increased security because of the Tucson shootings. Huh. So, one wacko shoots a politician in another state and this justifies hiding from constituents? I'm not aware of any solid basis for a fear of constituents, here... there is no credible threat to Legislators that I am aware of. Certainly none that would survive the mandatory metal detector at the front entrance.
Using the shooting in Tucson as an excuse to avoid your constituents is despicable!
Here's the deal. Even though you have to pass through a metal detector in order to enter the building, you will no longer be allowed near Legislators' offices on Legislative days. You'll still be allowed there on committee meeting days... until their new rooms get finished, and then you'll be banned on those days, too.
Effectively, walk-ins will not be allowed near Legislative offices on any day that Legislators will actually be there. Does ANYBODY else find this objectionable?
In other words, you are not welcome to visit your Legislator without an appointment. So much for transparency and a respect for individual freedom, eh?
In my opinion, this is nothing more than an avoidance strategy. You see, the GOP was elected to a majority by large voting blocs that expected a certain type of behavior from them. Fiscal responsibility, a respect for individual freedom, that kind of thing. And it's an agenda that the GOP apparently isn't very interested in.
They'd rather just do whatever they see fit without having to bother with minor things like listening to their constituents. We're an annoyance to them right now, as they prepare to govern, and we will REMAIN an annoyance until they need our votes again.
Elections matter, and the results of this election may be worse than leaving the Democrats in charge would have been. So far, it's not looking good. Nope, it's not looking good at all.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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This is a MAJOR slap in the face to Alabamians that will not bode well for the GOP, nor should it.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, but they're going to blithely move forward with this "ignore the voters" scheme unless we create enough of a ruckus to illustrate how bad an idea it is.
ReplyDeleteUnless, of course, you never WANT to see Legislators ever again...
I'm personally tired of being used during an election cycle to only be abused and ignored once they're elected. I just hope there are a lot more people who agree with me.
ReplyDeleteGreat commentary.
ReplyDeleteYep, they don't need us for another few years.
They would do well to remember what goes around, comes around......
The election cycle starts in twelve months. Simply grit your teeth and sit by until then. Whoever the incumbent is...toss them out. It doesn't matter if they are Democrat or Republican. Eventually, folks will begin to realize that the voters have gotten smarter and short political careers aren't worth much if you can't deliver.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem is, we don't have enough choice. It's either Democrats or Republicans, and both are more beholden to their party apparatus than they are to the voters of this state. We absolutely NEED at least one third party, not to mention laws that are loose enough that indiviuals actually have a chance to run WITHOUT party affiliation!
ReplyDeleteI've been told by one state senator that I sent the Advertiser article to that this isn't a done deal YET.
ReplyDeleteI would hope it's NOT a done deal... it's one of the worst anti-constituent actions I've ever heard of being considered in this state.
ReplyDeleteI think it's simple. Those who think their constituents matter for more than their vote once every four years should oppose this. Those who support the action... well, we shouldn't vote for them again in four years.
I posted a comment following the Advertiser article and then sent email copies to several legislators. My comment said:
ReplyDelete"There is no correlation between the tragic incident in Arizona, which took place in the parking lot of a grocery store, and the possibility of legislators being attacked inside the State House with the security arrangements already in place for
members of the public who enter the building. Do Hubbard and Marsh have any plans for protecting legislators and other state officials when they are out in public places? I must assume they don't.
Having been inside the State House I understand the desire to have more order and less chaos in both the hallways and the legislative chambers. I hope that the new rules for access to OUR public servants will apply as much to lobbyists as they do to the constituents of legislators and other common taxpayers, but that may be just wishful thinking on my part."
I just heard from a member of the house who wrote:
"Don, I think you’ve got what it’s really about. More order and less chaos. It is actually more about special interests and lobbyists, than constituents and regular taxpayers."
Both the senator I mentioned earlier and this representative are Republicans.