Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood (R) held a town hall meeting Monday night in Lincoln – almost immediately, it turned contentious.
Within seconds of beginning his remarks, Flood was met with boos. Attendees shouted “liar” and chanted “tax the rich.” The event was repeatedly interrupted by emotional appeals from constituents, including veterans and social workers.
At the center of the debate: the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Critics took aim at what they described as deep cuts to safety net programs – including Medicaid, SNAP, and health research. They argued the bill would harm vulnerable groups, particularly working families and veterans. Some shared personal stories about how such programs were essential to their lives.
Flood defended the legislation by pointing to projected tax savings and promises of increased hospital funding in Nebraska. But his explanations fell flat with many in the crowd, who viewed them as out of touch or unpersuasive.
Town halls are important. Elected officials should face their constituents, explain their positions, and be held to account. But here’s the rub: too many town halls today have ceased to be forums for civic dialogue. They’ve become shouting matches – chaotic displays fueled more by outrage than reason. Good for social media fodder and hits. That’s not democracy; that’s mob rule – the very outcome the Founders sought to avoid when they rejected a pure democracy in favor of a republic.
Accountability minus civility advances nothing. Thoughtful critiques get drowned out when they’re delivered in rage. As satisfying as screaming in vitriol may feel in the moment, it rarely leads to meaningful change or better outcomes.
What’s the solution? It’s not fewer town halls – it’s better ones and more of them. That only happens if the exhausted majority – those who still value civility and civic responsibility – steps up and reclaims the room from the fringes on both sides. If we want civil discourse, we must model it ourselves and not allow others to hijack it. If we want a functioning republic, we must behave like citizens worthy of one, taking an active role that makes those who just want to burn it all down moot.
After all, who wants to walk into a room just to be tarred and feathered? No one – including our elected leaders.
Yes, press them. Vigorously. Challenge them. Relentlessly. Speak truth to power. Always. But do it in a way your grandfather would be proud of.
If we lose even the ability to talk to each other civilly, then we may be closer to collapse than we think.
Finally, credit Congressman Flood. He isn’t calling it quits on town halls saying, “I don’t regret it at all… Every member of Congress has to do it the way they see fit. But for me, this comes with the territory. And I feel like you got to put yourself in the town square if you want to be a member of Congress for your district.”
More elected leaders should follow his example.