Recently on the Opinion page, The Columbian accused Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, of “shunning” the public due to her varied approaches at seeking real input. This criticism comes across as if large public meetings were the only way to get serious feedback on issues and ideas, which is absolutely ridiculous. Very little substantive feedback comes from such meetings but they do provide for some degree of public therapy.
Real input comes from small group discussions, just like she is doing, in addition to the occasional large public discourses where those opposing everything she stands for can rant on without standing for anything. She’s “thinking out of the box,” not avoiding the public.
Give her some well-deserved credit. We have enough “cookie-cutter” politicians who, quite frankly, need to seek other employment and try the real world for a change.
Ted Stubblefield
Ridgefield
