The Bernie Skoch 2010 Listening Plan

For too long, our government has been led by professional politicians who listen intently to their party, to each other, to lobbyists, and to big campaign donors. But they listen only selectively to those whom they represent: Us, their constituents. That’s why a critical part of our campaign is listening.

I am absolutely committed to doing the work of the citizens of the 3rd District of Arkansas and to voting as you would have me vote. The people know what’s right, and that’s why I am committed to this six-point Listening Plan.

Please join us in our effort of taking representative government away from professional politicians and returning it to the people.

1. From existing staff, I will create county constituent ombudsmen positions for each county in the 3rd Congressional District. Ombudsmen will be responsible for staying abreast of county issues, actively working requests from citizens of that county, researching county needs, and making sure the needs of their counties are well known by me and throughout our government. They will also actively track any request or complaint from a constituent until it is resolved.
2. I will put in place a “3rd District Hotline” that lets constituents talk directly to me when I am available, and their ombudsman when I am not.
3. I will implement a secure on-line 3rd District constituent issues web portal, accessible to any registered member of the district. Here, constituents will be able to review proposed legislation as soon as it is available, share their views with other constituents and communicate directly with me.
4. I will implement a secure system by which constituents of the 3rd District may, when time permits, cast an on-line “mock vote” on legislation before it is formally considered by the House of Representatives, and track the results of that mock vote.
5. I will institute a program of quarterly, well publicized, and publically accessible in-person “3rd District Forums” in which constituents will be invited to express their views in-person to me.
6. I will implement a regular dial-in 3rd District webcast and conference call where I will appear live and accept real-time messages, web-calls, and phone calls from our constituents. Much like a radio talk show, the monthly event will allow our constituents to express their views on issues and give them the opportunity to hear responses directly from their elected representative. It will also feature guests from government and other agencies of interest to our constituents.

Bernie Skoch
Candidate, Arkansas 3rd District
U.S. House of Representatives