We have already exposed "fed up with DC" Congressman Long has been caught sending form letters to constituents. As well, as many members of Congress came home and hosted town hall meetings to answer constituents' questions, Long has been notably MIA with the exception of judging an art contest. Long's own Congressional Web site reflects Long's distance from constituents and his desire to limit communications with them. It should be embarrassing for Long that a good portion of his Web site reads coming soon, yet he has had no problem racing to post photo ops of him with important government leaders and events he has been.
Billy Long on National Defense: Coming Soon.
Billy Long on Health Care: Coming Soon.
Billy Long on Energy and Environment: Coming Soon.
Billy Long sits on the Homeland Security committee and yet nothing: Coming Soon.
I could keep doing this but I think you get the point. The people of Southwest Missouri are paying good money in federal taxes that helps pay for Long's staffers, and yet they show they have become as inefficient as the rest of the government after getting to Washington. They are obviously too busy following Billy on the DC social circuit, preventing reporters from gaining access to Congressman Long, and helping Billy turn in his enemies list to the FBI in an effort to violate the First Amendment rights of Long's most vocal critics. It just appears to me the people Long hired to run his office in Washington DC are lazy. Coming soon should never appear on a Web site, especially one on this level. This should be professional and its clear Long's office is ran by amateurs who aren't doing their jobs.
The complaints about Long's Congressional Web site are increasing. Not only is it near impossible to see the light colored font reading "Contact Billy" on the home page--it blends into the white--some constituents are complaining about no correspondence from their Congressman even though they have signed up for the monthly newsletter from Congressman Long's office.
One Southwest Missouri resident complained to the Springfield News-Leader about how out of reach Congressman Long's communication efforts are to the average 7th District resident.
Billy's website used to prompt visitors to sign up for his non-existent newsletter (now he calls it email updates). I registered but have received zip.
Billy brags on his website slide show about a meeting with his constituients (in Washington DC). We see a round table photo of Billy and four guys in suits (anybody recognized them?)
Try opening Billy's "Issues" menu. Energy and Environment? Education? Healthcare etc? All issues are a blank slate. There used to be a message that stated contact Billy's office in DeeCee if you really want to know. Now the message reads "Coming Soon". However, Billy didn't waste any time posting a photo of him shaking the hand of the kid who won the art contest.
http://long.house.gov/
Billy's handlers would be foolish to let him conduct a real town hall (that would be bad marketing) and I predict we won't see one unless tremendous pressure is put on him.
So why is it Billy Long doesn't feel like he has to be accountable to voters with communications across the board? It always seems like Billy Long is in hiding.
