The only thing I like less than representing my constituents is talking to them.
Contact me.
If you can.
I just don't like talking to people.
If I don’t ignore you, I’ll block you.
The ACLU of Georgia criticized me for blocking constituents on my official social media accounts. They argued that I violate my constituents’ First Amendment rights because my social media pages—used for public communication—are public forums and they urged me to unblock users or provide a legal justification. But I ignored them, too.
More recently, I leveraged my status as a Nextdoor.com moderator to censor and block political opponents and constituents unhappy with my representation because I was too cowardly to engage in meaningful conversation. On other social media—such as Facebook—I regularly delete constituent comments and like my own posts so I don’t feel lonely.
Source: ACLU of Georgia
But if you’re a woman, I might threaten you.
Or worse.
I’m creepy.
When local Roswell constituent and businesswoman Lyndsey Coates reached out to me on social media, my team and I wasted no time threatening her.
I’m cruel.
When a local boy scout made Eagle, his project was a lovely patio and pergola in Roswell Area Park. But just two weeks after completion, I had the pergola torn down.
At the time, I told the City of Roswell that the pergola interfered with where I wanted to hold my 9/11 ceremony. But I really tore it down because the Eagle Scout had held my youngest accountable for misbehavior in the Boy Scouts. And since I refused to complete the required training to be a Scout leader, this was my best revenge. That and using Eagle Scout ceremonies for political stump speeches.
I’m demeaning.
When local educator and businesswoman Daryl O’Hare emailed me about legislation she was concerned about, I didn’t like her tone.
So before I blocked her and refused to communicate with her for almost 10 years, I threatened to come to her workplace and to correct her:
And I’m a bully.
When I found out a leading Roswell businesswoman contributed to my opponent’s State Senate campaign, I knew I needed to send her a message so she knew her place.
But I’m also a coward, so I mailed an anonymous letter to her workplace lying about my opponent and demanding, “And you support this pig?”
Then, when she hosted a meet & greet for my opponent, I intimidated other Roswell business people so they wouldn’t attend.
Remember, this election isn’t about you. It’s about me.
Since I won’t do the job, you should support … anyone else.
In Georgia, our constituent experience is far behind private-sector best practices and way behind those of other developed democracies. The sad truth is, the vast majority of our elected representatives—myself included—would fail any reasonable customer-experience assessment. Just try to have a discussion with me about a legislative issue and you’ll see how bad it can be.
A recent Indigov study found that only 8.44% of elected representatives responded to messages within a 90-day period, highlighting the lack of communication typical between officials and their constituents.
It’s time to Vote out elected officials like myself who refuse to engage with voters in person or online. Because you deserve to feel heard, valued, and supported by your elected officials.
Sources: “A Report Card for US Elected Officials — Who failed and who passed?” by Indigov, Facebook