Running From the People Vol 6

One of the biggest supporters of nationalized health care is afraid of his own constituents, while another vows to vote against their best interests:

One prominent Democrat is defending his decision not to hold town hall meetings on health care reform. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin says he doesn't plan to hold large-scale events with his constituents because they have turned into shouting matches elsewhere. The senator told reporters from the Herald & Review: "I don't think that's a productive use of my time." Instead Durbin has been focusing on meeting with health care practitioners and smaller groups of citizens.

A survey of three conservative blogs indicates two-thirds of the members of Congress are choosing not to hold town halls. One of those was Texas Democratic Representative Chet Edwards, who was going to limit himself to town halls over the phone, until multiple protests in front of his district offices forced him to give in.

One New York congressman is planning to hold town halls but not necessarily to listen to participants. Democrat Eric Massa admitted to a group at a Netroots Nation conference that he would vote for a single-payer bill no matter what his constituents think. The Washington Times quoted him saying, "I will vote adamantly against the interests of my district... I will vote against their opinion if I actually believe it will help them." But, Congressman Massa's Web site states: "As your member of Congress, my number-one priority is serving you."

Do they work for us, or do we work for them?