Constituent engagement is vital to our democracy. Cliff Bentz’s recent remarks about skipping in-person town halls and labeling some attendees “anti-Trump gangs spreading falsehoods” have sparked heated debate.
Public meetings enable all constituents — supportive, critical, and oppositional — a chance to be heard. Overlooking their concerns diminishes the essential purpose of these forums: representing the people.
Yes, civic discourse can be contentious. But this tension signals health, not dysfunction, in a democracy. The large turnouts at recent town halls reflect genuine concern and anger. Grassroots groups such as Oregon District 2 Indivisible are exercising their constitutional rights. Characterizing their input as “misinformation” or “intimidation” equates disagreement with illegitimacy.
Replacing in-person town halls with controlled telephone forums shields Bentz from accountability by limiting spontaneity, curbing scrutiny, and reducing direct engagement with people in his district.
Our congressman has a responsibility to listen to his constituents and hear dissent, even when it challenges him. Eliminating live, in-person forums weakens his connection with the people who elected him and undermines the democratic process. He must restore live, in-person town halls and commit to genuinely engaging with all members of his district. Now is the time for him to reaffirm his accountability and actively listen to the people he serves.