# If you were a congressman in a safe district, what would you say to the town hellers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 12, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205 "2009-08-12T19:06:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/1 "2009-08-12T19:06:53Z")
I’d tell them, in so many words, to tune out Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and all other right wing crazies and tune into reality. If you want to have a civil debate, fine. But if you want to act like babies, well then I might have to break out a few choice words. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/2 "2009-08-12T19:59:30Z")
There are very few really safe districts. Republican and Democratic politicians all remember 1994 and 2006. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/3 "2009-08-12T20:02:46Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Republican and Democratic politicians all remember 1994 and 2006. In addition, Republicans are trying _very_ hard to forget 2008. WRT the OP: Hooligans need to spoken to in a language they understand. A boot to the head seems like it might get through to them. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/4 "2009-08-13T08:07:43Z")
My Congressman is in about as safe a district as can be – we haven’t elected a Republican since 1963. But he is still polite to people at his town meetings, even the nut cases. But he does challenge them when they make false statements, and will also tell them when his position does not agree with theirs. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/5 "2009-08-13T08:13:01Z")
If I was going to retire at the end of my term and didn’t care anymore, I would tell them that they are racists morons who believe any nonsense they are told big corporations trying to undermine the democratic process. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/6 "2009-08-13T14:03:37Z")
What is a heller? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/7 "2009-08-13T14:09:09Z")
I’d start asking them questions. Presumably they won’t shout down one of their own. This would get them to display their own ignorance for the cameras. I’d chime in with quick facts drawn from the likes of the CBO. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/8 "2009-08-13T14:12:14Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What is a heller? I believe it’s the new name for those who behave like _hellions_ at Town _Hall_ meetings. Hall + hellion (or some other permutation of “hell”) + agent suffix -er = Heller. Unless it’s a reference to Catch-22. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/9 "2009-08-13T14:17:24Z")
I’m moving this thread from The BBQ Pit to In My Humble Opinion. If things get out of hand, the IMHO mods can move it back. **Gfactor** Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/10 "2009-08-13T14:18:37Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I’d start asking them questions. \ This would get them to display their own ignorance for the cameras. This, but first I’d stand quietly and let them yell themselves out. Listen and nod. See how long they keep yelling, and the rant would surely get stupider and stupider the longer they didn’t get the response they were hoping for. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/11 "2009-08-13T14:28:00Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > I’m moving this thread from The BBQ Pit to In My Humble Opinion. If things get out of hand, the IMHO mods can move it back. > > **Gfactor** > Pit Moderator Bad move. This is the sort of thread that waits for the IMHO mods to come at it with a rolled up newspaper and then takes the newspaper and beats them to death with it. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/12 "2009-08-13T14:38:52Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Bad move. This is the sort of thread that waits for the IMHO mods to come at it with a rolled up newspaper and then takes the newspaper and beats them to death with it. Sounds like good watchin’ to me. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/13 "2009-08-13T15:00:46Z")
How about, “Golly, you folks sure do like insurance companies.” ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/14 "2009-08-13T15:41:03Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Presumably they won’t shout down one of their own. _giggle_ _snort_ _guffaw_ ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/15 "2009-08-13T15:51:07Z")
I would tell them to provide me with constructive feedback on what they don’t think is working now or what in the bill is bothering them the most. Don’t think the health system needs to be changed? Why? If we leave it the way it is, how do you propose to continue to afford your own healthcare? You hate the current bill? Okay, tell me what you hate about it. Great. Read that part of the bill. Now tell me how you’d change it. You don’t have to be experienced in healthcare to say, “Hmmm, I don’t understand this part. You need to make it clearer,” or “There’s a hole here - lots of room for people to game the system. Make it tighter.” Screaming is easy. Slinging insults is easy. It’s far more comfortable to react and not think. But if you want something workable, put your head down, shut up and get to work. This is true for our government, but also true for the average Joe standing on the picket line screaming his head off. If you’re going to get pissed, at least know why and take action to make it better. I know what you don’t want. What the hell _do_ you want? ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/16 "2009-08-14T01:15:51Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > I’d tell them, in so many words, to tune out Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and all other right wing crazies and tune into reality. If you want to have a civil debate, fine. But if you want to act like babies, well then I might have to break out a few choice words. there is no such thing as a safe district for the incumbent. A party maybe. But at every election there is always someone on the right or left of you in your own party. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/17 "2009-08-14T01:31:36Z")
Say, “I understand you are upset about the issue, but, please, there’s no reason not to be polite about it. I’m sure we’re all adult enough to discuss your concerns without shouting.” Then, if they shout, they are automatically impolite and childish. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/18 "2009-08-14T01:37:07Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > I’d tell them, in so many words, to tune out Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and all other right wing crazies and tune into reality. One congressman did just about that. When a constituent mentioned Glenn Beck, Rep Bob Inglis (Republican of South Carolina) said, “Turn that television off when he comes on. Let me tell you why. You want to know why? He’s trading on fear.” ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/19 "2009-08-14T02:16:30Z")
Why would I tell them anything? Our founding fathers would approve of what they’re doing, what with the genesis of this country being founded on anger over lack of repesentation of widely held views and all. Hell, they’d encourage them to take up arms if they’re further discouraged to air their grievances with the government. Okay, I’d tell them that it’s good to exercise one’s first ammendment rights, but don’t take up arms. How’s that? ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-congressman-in-a-safe-district-what-would-you-say-to-the-town-hellers/506205/20 "2009-08-14T03:22:33Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/L1Zxktsb_xA/hqdefault.jpg "Avi goes to London") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Zxktsb_xA)