If there is one constant in local politics, it's that citizens seem to love being indignant -- about snow plows and the quality of said snow plowers, property taxes, and.... I guess that's about it. Snow plows and property taxes.
And they aren't good at math, but that's a different story.
Stumbled upon this while reading USA TODAY at a coffee shop:
The string of attacks on politicians — angry shouts at town-hall-style meetings, an assassination attempt against Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords — has ignited a civility movement in cities across the country.
Officials in large and small cities are eager to calm the overheated rhetoric that has dominated the political landscape. At a time when tight budgets are forcing them to make unpopular cuts in services, city leaders want to learn how they can have a cordial discourse with constituents and, better yet, get them to help decide what cuts to make.
...
In 2009, protesters shouted down members of Congress who held forums on a proposed health care overhaul. That same year, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., shouted "You lie!" after President Obama, in an address to Congress, denied that health care legislation would provide free coverage for illegal immigrants.
And some saw a connection last month after a gunman shot Giffords, D-Ariz., in the forehead when she met with constituents at her "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Tucson supermarket. Six people, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge, were killed. Giffords is recovering.
(Via - USATODAY.com)
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