On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks hosted a Telephone Town Hall with an estimated 15,000 participants. I listened to the whole thing. If one can filter out all the MAGA assertions, such as “As we know, January 20, 2025 was the beginning of a new golden age in American history,” there were things to learn about the job she is doing on our behalf. I wrote about this previously. The MAGA talking points were wearying yet we must persist.
Whoa buddy! Improvement is needed in the questions asked during the event. Let’s start with a good question to set an example:
Hi. Good evening. Thanks for taking my call. I had a question about H.R. 809, which basically prohibits Chinese ownership of agricultural land here in Iowa and the rest of the country. My main concern about this is this was introduced back in 2023, I believe, and it still hasn’t been passed. Where are we at as far as that goes? And what are you looking at as far as, you know, furthering this cause?
This is the kind of question we all should be asking. It references a specific bill and a specific issue: Chinese ownership of agricultural land. The caller explained their concern and asked the congresswoman for an update. Well done!
Now here’s a problematic question:
Thank you. I’ve been very concerned five years. I’ve been very concerned. Five years ago, the government budget was 4.5 trillion. Now it’s $7 trillion or over that. And I’ve noticed what the government’s using that extra money for is shamefully discriminating against Americans based on race. I’m concerned that they’re using USAID money to fund coronavirus research in China and give our adversaries weapons of mass destruction and fund it. I want to know over the next four years, if we think we can rightsize the federal government, if we can fire the people that have been, you know, hired and just wasting taxpayer dollars on things like work from home and how you think the best path to achieve that is?
This caller appears to live in a media bubble that consists of FOX News, News Max, The Blaze, and One America News Network. It’s a free country and people can spend their time and attention how they will. It would be a good thing to ask about increases in the federal budget and how that money is used. The statement, “I’ve noticed what the government’s using that extra money for is shamefully discriminating against Americans based on race” comes directly out of left field racist talking points and detracts from the effectiveness of the question. This is a case where if the caller sat down at the kitchen table and wrote out what they wanted to ask, they would seem less like they were in a media-induced trance.
Not only conservatives have been marinating in media bubbles.
Hi. I had a question. I was concerned about, you talked about, you know, putting America first. You talked about this is going to be an age of national security, but I’m very concerned about our national security. There is an undocumented immigrant that was just granted clearance to a lot of really confidential data. Um, Elon Musk has overstayed a student visa, and he’s not here legally. And so I’m very concerned about that. You you spoke earlier about caring a lot about illegal immigration. So, um, you know, I’d like you to elaborate more on your previous answer, um, because that seems like a contradictory statement.
This discussion appears to have come from the timeline of someone’s social media. The caller does not identify the undocumented immigrant who was just “granted clearance.” Likewise, hate him as we do, Elon Musk is a U.S. citizen. If one is to call into a public town hall meeting, set the socials aside, and like I recommended for the conservative caller, sit down and write out what you want to ask. Get the facts straight. Be brief, be brilliant, and be done. I believe it would be more effective and might help get actual answers.
It is unfortunate participants in the call had to wade through the poorly worded questions and the congresswoman’s ideological answers to access useful information. In some cases, callers just wanted to make a statement. All I’m asking is please do your homework and think before opening your mouth to speak in public. I know I’m better off when I do.
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