It was 8 p.m. on Monday night, and Shelly of Clarkston was giving her congressman an earful.
‘When you and Republicans talk about S-CHIP, environment, CAFE standards, alternatives to coal burning plants, I’m not trying to be argumentative, but it always seems to be about money,? she said to U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-8th District). ‘But every time you bring up the war ? money’s not an issue.?
‘Let me take a stab at it, if I may,? Rogers responded. ‘I believe we should have insurance for poor children ? but I don’t believe we have to break the bank. We have to spend money responsibly.?
Shelly was one of about half a dozen callers to get through to the congressman during his teletownhall meeting Monday. Operated like a call-in radio talk show, Rogers uses the format to communicate with thousands of constituents at a time.
‘Teletownhalls use technology that became available about a year ago,? said Sylvia Warner, press secretary. ‘Usually, about 200-400 people respond to listen, and about 50 submit questions.?
In the Oct. 29 teletownhall meeting, a computerized calling system contacted 35,000 Oakland County residents. About 12,000 responded and listened to at least part of the hour-long call, Rogers said.
‘I’ve never had that kind of opportunity before,? he said.
When making calls, the computer plays a recording from Rogers, in which he invites people to participate and tells them how to join in the live discussion.
The technology is a great convenience for constituents, Warner said.
‘If he were to hold a townhall meeting at a building somewhere, it would mean leaving work or home and driving there,? she said.
‘Lots more people can participate, and it is much less expensive than mailing an invitation to a townhall meeting, or several, at some specific location, where attendance can be pretty low in today’s busy world.?
Conventional town hall meeting have an average attendance of 10-25 people, Rogers said.
‘People are busy,? he said. ‘The call tonight was far more efficient.?
Responding callers are first connected to a staff member, managing the queue. Callers are put through in order ? they do not act as call screeners, he said.
‘I hear from people all over the political spectrum,? Rogers said.
In Monday’s call, he spoke to Carolyn about Michigan’s new sales tax ? ‘we can’t tax ourselves into prosperity,? he said ? Arnold about illegal immigration, and Walter about the dangers of one-world government.
An advantage of the telephone system is people are at ease, speaking from their own homes, Rogers said.
‘Next up, we have Doug,? Rogers said, welcoming his fourth caller. ‘Hello, Doug.?
‘Yeah, Mike, listen,? Doug said, ‘I got a phone call saying that you don’t like kids if you don’t support this program out there. What’s going on??
‘Well, unfortunately that’s the new brand of politics, more political rhetoric than substance,? Rogers explained.
Rogers has been hosting telephone public meetings about every 60 days since last summer.
‘It’s catching on,? he said. ‘I’ve been getting rave reviews from people I’ve met in the district.?