DOVER- The auditorium in Delaware State University’s Bank of America building hummed Wednesday as Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents gathered to discuss how to reduce the Federal deficit.
Congressman John Carney, in conjunction with the non-profit, non-partisan Concord Coalition, engaged attendees in a simulation where they were asked to decide what parts of the budget cut.
The meeting began with a presentation by the Concord Coalition about the fiscal problems the country faces. Then participants were broken into groups and chose a leader. Within the groups people weighed the benefits of doing cost cutting measures – like freezing all domestic discretionary spending, or eliminating the $1 bill. Following about an hour of discussion, group leaders reported back what they cut – and why.
At times the debate within groups would become heated. Every few minutes, one of the 20 participants would express outrage or protest as the ideas for deficit reduction were evaluated. But in the end, most attendees said they walked away from the two-hour exercise feeling better informed and grateful for the opportunity to share their views with others, including a member of their congressional delegation.
“The discussion was lively, respectful and helpful,” Rep. Carney said. “I learned a lot about common themes.” The group at DSU seemed especially interested in tax reforms and social security, he said.
Carney held similar meetings in Georgetown and Stanton Wednesday. In Georgetown he saw a turn out of more than 100 people. He expected between 40 and 50 to attend the Stanton meeting.
The audience in Dover was made up largely of white men and skewed older. But while those attending were similar demographically, they held a wide range of views. Few had voted for Carney. All wanted their voices heard.
“I wanted to see what the Congressman had to offer,” said Dover Mayor Carleton E Carey, Sr. “I think it went really well. It was good for the citizens.”
Sam Chick, 25, of Dover spent the last four years in the Army, including a tour in Iraq. He came to the town meeting wanting to hear what other’s had to say about the deficit, but also to voice his opinion on military spending.
“I learned a little bit,” Chick said. “It’s interesting to hear people’s ideas and get different perspectives.”
Jesse McVay of Dover is a registered Libertarian and he loves to talk and debate politics.
“I enjoyed it,” he said. “Every chance I get to talk about politics I will.” What impressed him though weren’t the debates, but that it was “fairly even-handed” and non-partisan.
Open, non-partisan debates and budget problem solving were Carney’s goals for the public meetings. “I see these meetings as a way to help educate the public on these matters,” Carney said.
He said he was impressed by the “depth knowledge” of the participants and the “sacrifices people are willing to make.”
Carney said he learned a great deal through the meetings that will aid him in his decision-making on budget issues.
Carney admitted that his staff had some reservations about holding in person meetings because of safety concerns and the contentious nature of the budget debate. But the freshman congressman believes face time is important because it allows him to get to know his constituents and listen to their views on meaningful and important topics.
“I knew this was something I had to do,” he said.
