April 1, 2026

Michael Sauers

There are many crucial issues facing communities in the United States. We elect representatives to address the issues we tell them are important to us. It is not the other way around.

Common sense would dictate that elected representatives stay in communication with his/her constituents. Obviously, the best way to do this is through regularly scheduled town hall meetings scattered throughout the district. This could be supplemented but NOT replaced with phone calls, text messages, e-mails and newsletters.

Most elected officials become politicians and, as such, become consumed with re-election. They become wary of being specific and adroit at being vague. Understanding that money is the driving force in politics, they follow it like Foo-foo finds Fifi at the fire hydrant.

We stop seeing them at public events, hearing them on podcasts/radio and rubbing elbows with all of their constituents out in the community. They turn into scared little rabbits and ducks in a row. Manipulation, condescension and control become their overriding strategies. Only if they can control the scenario do they appear.

Of course, this is nothing more than one of sapien’s oldest characteristics; insecurity!

“Phone-In” town hall meetings are a joke and disservice to constituents. Hiding behind a phone, pandering to an audience, and giving nonsense, no accountability, fuzzy answers is both disrespectful and condescending.

This is not rocket science. A phone-in town hall meeting is like take a shower with a raincoat on. Our elected representatives need to summon some intestinal fortitude, guts, courage, moxie. Call it whatever you like.

I’m tired looking for Dan Meuser, Robert Leadbeter, and Linda Culver Schlegel. Come out, come out wherever you are!