Unprecedented Online Effort Launched to Make Washington Listen to Americans Again
If there is one common complaint Iowa Congressman Tom Latham hears has heard from Iowans for the past 16 months, it is that Washington is not listening to the people of America.
"Washington has been ignoring the will of the American people for far too long," Congressman Latham said. "The people have sent a clear message over and over again for the past year-and-a-half, but leaders in Congress and the White House have continued to push a partisan agenda to expand federal authority that has sent the national deficit into the stratosphere but failed to create job growth. It's time for Congress to start listening to the people again."
Latham joined other House Republicans in announcing an unprecedented new initiative of engagement with the American people that uses cutting-edge and interactive technology to give the American people a new platform to speak up and discuss pressing national topics.
America Speaking Out, which can be accessed at www.AmericaSpeakingOut.com, gives Americans from across the country and across the political spectrum a voice to communicate with others about what Congress and the federal government should be doing to address the country's biggest problems. The America Speaking Out project aims to open new lines of communication with citizens at a time when Washington has clearly stopped listening to the people. America Speaking Out will continue throughout the summer and help establish a governing policy agenda for America.
Latham noted that this new national effort compliments his Agenda for America's Future project, which asks citizens in Iowa's 4th Congressional District to tell Latham their ideas and priorities for the federal government. The Agenda for America's Future project has received more than 1,000 responses from Iowans so far. Congressman Latham noted that he will submit the best ideas from the Agenda for America's Future to the national effort.
"When the results are in and the citizens have made their voices heard, I think we'll learn that the people's agenda is vastly different from the one being pursued in Washington right now," Congressman Latham said. "This is an effort to bring responsiveness back to our government. If we act together, we can make a difference and start moving our country forward again."
Congressman Latham said the America Speaking Out project allows anyone who wants to contribute to offer their thoughts and ideas.
"I invite all Americans to get involved and help Congress build a policy agenda that truly reflects the will of the people," Congressman Latham said. "No matter your background, party affiliation or ideology, your input is welcome. After all, no one can single-handedly solve the problems our country faces. It's going to take bipartisan cooperation and a renewed commitment among our leaders to make sure the voice of the American people is heard in Washington again."