Congressman Cleaver's Town Hall Meeting

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri’s 5th Congressional District announced a town hall meeting right smack in the middle of Lee’s Summit, which happens to be the very neighborhood where I often take my Sabbath morning walk and right there at my favorite local coffee shop.

So I went in. The Congressman (i.e., you the taxpayer) was buying, so why not?

The Congressman was there with his coffee talking to constituents one at a time. If you wanted to talk to the Congressman, they asked you to fill out a short form with your name and address and in general terms what you wanted to talk to him about. One of his aides would take the form, at which time you would wait your turn.

When I got there, an older gentleman with “Fair Tax” buttons on his cap (whom I had seen at least twice before at such events) was speaking with passion to the Congressman who listened quietly, nodding, making a comment every now and then. I was there about 30 minutes, and saw a total of 3 constituents get their time with the Congressman. From bits and pieces, I would say that at least 2 out of the 3 were giving him an earful.

A little quick math and discussion with others who were waiting showed me I wasn’t going to get any time with the Congressman unless I had about 3 hours to kill – and I did not. But I do have some impressions.

1. Cleaver meets with his constituents in their own neighborhoods and takes time to listen to them, even in parts of his district that are as conservative as they come. I disagree with him on almost every fundamental point of political philosophy, but at least give him that.

2. He likely won’t have the type of public forum that became the media sensation of the summer. A shame. That would be fun.

3. The place had its share of political professionals handing out flyers for their pet causes. There was the Fair Tax guy and another fellow there from the Constitution Party, both of whom were campaigning. Nobody tried to stop them. Agree or disagree with them, this does represent American politics at its best – free exchange of ideas in a public setting with respectful discussion and disagreement.

4. Likely someone talked with the Congressman about the same things I would have said. Sadly, it won’t change his vote. Still, I would like to talk to him some day eyeball to eyeball and see how he justifies bankrupting the country, killing babies, and calling Castro a great man. Arguing respectfully, of course. Maybe I’ll show up an hour early next time and hope my chances improve.