knesset vs. congress

i think its interesting how the knesset(equivilant of us congress)union leader views the congress....really i think we should be taking lessons from MK Cohen(equal to congressman or senator)at the end of the story.... if my congressman made herself available to a public forum in cleveland 3 times a month, id be thrilled...bbut truthfully, ms. tubbs jones is much more interested in her national recognition that what her constituents actually need or want, plus i think most our politicians are more interested in pork then bills...atleast, thats how i feel about it...

Apr. 5, 2007 3:22 | Updated Apr. 5, 2007 9:40
Itzik hopes to put public within a dial tone of their MKs
By GIL HOFFMAN

...According to the initiative that is still in its planning stages, dozens of MKs will man telephone lines together in a large room at the Knesset, receiving calls from citizens asking for help with their problems. Ordinary citizens would be able to request any specific MK or an MK with a particular background or expertise....
She also wants MKs to be required to visit schools once a year, either where they live or where they themselves were educated.

National Union MK Benny Elon, who is the incoming chairman of the Knesset Public Complaints Committee, praised the telethon idea. He said that while many MKs were
already doing a great deal to serve their constituencies, MKs could learn much from congressmen in the United States.

"In the US, they have districts and people know that their representative will help them," Elon said....

United Torah Judaism MK Ya'acov Cohen agreed with Elon that holding a telethon once a year was not enough. He recently proposed a bill requiring MKs to meet with their constituents no less than 30 times a year in locations across the country.

Cohen personally makes a point of meeting with his haredi constituents more than 100 times a year. He takes out advertisements in the haredi press informing the public what city he will be in and when he will be available for meetings with ordinary citizens.

"I think the least we can do as MKs is meet people at least a couple of times a month," Cohen said. "The public has lost its faith in their elected officials and in most cases, it's not justified. Many MKs are working very hard and are honest people. This is a better solution than instituting regional elections, and it's the perfect thing to do to restore the public's faith in the Knesset."