Recent events have made it abundantly clear that the people we have democratically elected to act on our behalf in Congress, who are supposed to act in the best interests of the people of this state, are unwilling to face those very same people when they have made an unpopular decision.

I am not saying that our representatives should always do what is popular. There are times when tough decisions must be made, but part of their job is to go back to the Maine people and explain the reasoning behind their decisions. Neglecting to do so destroys voter trust in our leaders and in the office they hold. Trust cannot easily be repaired and without it democracy cannot function.

Rep. Golden and Sen. Collins have both refused to make themselves publicly accountable to the people they are supposed to represent. If our representatives will not make themselves meaningfully available to their constituents, then it becomes necessary for a law to force them to do so. Which is why Maine must pass legislation requiring that all officials elected to Congress must hold town hall meetings within a reasonable time frame, and held in such a manner that all the people they represent can have their voices heard.

Furthermore, a poll should be held at the end of these town hall meetings and if the elected representative cannot achieve more than a 50% approval rating then an immediate emergency election should be triggered in which they cannot participate.

Christopher Parelius
Portland