To the editor:
There has been a lot of conversation lately regarding Jack Bergman’s refusal to attend a town hall in Traverse City because he believes it would degenerate into a shouting match that he would lose. The Leelanau Enterprise apparently suggested that Mr. Bergman was afraid to face his constituents. The congressman’s staff ridiculed this, referencing Bergman’s service record and the fact he had been awarded the Silver Star for bravery during his time in the service. They also claimed that the impetus behind the town hall was not coming from local constituents, but from outside agitators, and that it was funded by George Soros. (Really? The George Soros gambit? Dudes, you need to raise your game!!)
How about this, then? We constituents create ten questions for the congressman and the Enterprise prints them, and then sends them to Mr. Bergman. That way, he’d have the opportunity to consider them carefully, and then answer in a thorough, thoughtful manner, with the answers also printed in the Enterprise. This would preclude the noisy confrontation and, hopefully, provide him the chance to explain his conduct and voting record.
Jack Bergman owes us this. Whether or not we agree with his positions, it is absolutely his responsibility to share and defend those positions in an open forum.
So, whattaya say, Jack? Wanna play?
Russell Shipley Cedar
