Dear editor:

From the title of Zac Taylor’s editorial on Tuesday, April 1, I expected it to be about Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. Nevertheless, the first three paragraphs focused on the late Sen. Alan Simpson. As I continued reading the reason became clear, the Simpson references were being used to support the author’s view that the audience at recent Hageman rallies behaved contrary to how Simpson would.

Before I continue let me state for the record that I agree there is a need for civility and that screaming obscenities and threats of harm or death are unacceptable. Those who voiced their displeasure by booing or holding up signs I would argue were not disrespectful. They were Hageman’s constituents expressing their disagreement and dissatisfaction with her actions.

When Hageman said, “It’s so bizarre to me how obsessed you are with the federal government” at the Laramie town hall she emphasized just how irrelevant the opinions of Wyoming voters are to her. That statement implies that anyone who is concerned with her actions in Washington, D.C. is infatuated or fanatical. As our representative, I would have expected Hageman to understand and support a citizen’s right and dare I say duty to monitor and question her actions as our congresswoman. Additional statements from Hageman to the audience during that same meeting were both condescending and provocative.

Courteous and civil political dialogue requires respect from both sides.  Congresswoman Harriet Hageman should remember that she was elected to represent and respect ALL Wyomingites. Her choice of words during that town hall demonstrated a lack of respect for her constituents.

Dan Schein

Cody