Republican Lawmakers Facing (or NOT facing) Their Constituents

In 2009, corporate front groups bused in thousands of their “grass roots” drones so they could attend Democrats’ town hall meetings and get all hysterical about a “Government Takeover!” and “Death Panels!”

Now, Republicans control the House, and millions of people are scared shitless about threats to Social Security and Medicare. The shoe is on the other foot now, and GOP representatives are manning up to face hostile questions from constituents at their own town hall meetings. Right???

Let’s have a look:

Rep. Rick Crawford (R—Shrinking Violet) was getting too many frustrating questions from the audience about his support for Paul Ryan’s budget plan. A constituent asked him if his party was waging class warfare against the poor, and Crawford sputtered “We’re done.”

And off he skulked.

And how about that badass Army veteran, Allen West? Florida’s favorite teabagger must have had scarier experiences during his military career than being asked a pointed question at a public meeting. Surely he’s man enough to stand there and take questions from his taxpaying constituents.

Uhh…Only if the questions are pre-screened. And each question will be read aloud by a staff member; not the constituent whose question it was. Oh well, at least he hasn’t ordered all liberal audience members to be cordoned off in a Free Speech Zone. Not yet anyway.

And saving the best for last: Rep. Lou Barletta (R—Arrogant Fuck). One of his constituents asked him why he supported billions of dollars in tax giveaways to the oil industry. Barletta just shook his head and laughed.

Another audience member called out “You’re our congressman. Don’t laugh at us.”

Barletta continued laughing and shaking his head, and then turned his back on the audience and started looking over some papers in his briefcase. And then he left.

Where’s that famous shoe thrower when we need him? Somebody needs to wipe the smirk off that cocksucker’s face.