Brad_Jones's Blog

We lead an interesting life. Mostly due to the places we go and the people we meet. As a friend of mine once told me, "to breathe the priviledged air". That happened this week when I had the opportunity to talk with a couple of our local representatives - Mel Watt from the 12th District, and Virginia Foxx from the 5th District.

Watt was returning to the district to hold a town hall meeting and spend a few days talking with constituents and trading places with them by doing their jobs. Foxx had just returned from a trip to visit US Troops in the war zone and had some impressions on how things are going over there.

While I had a chance to talk with both Watt and Foxx about their latest endeavors, I was struck by something else. They're both pretty engaging to listen to. I would also add Howard Coble to the mix. Although he wasn't on the guest list this week, Howard has developed a reputation over the years as someone who is never at a loss for words.

I know that we get discouraged sometimes by the news out of Washington and tend to lump politicians in the same basket with crooks and traveling salesmen. That's not the case.

These folks are well versed on the issues, especially international news and how it affects people in their district. They're in touch. They seem to be pretty good listeners. Of course, that's their job and its why we elect them, but in a pretty cynical world its refreshing to find that we have people like that representing us.

Politics aside, they are interesting to listen to. I'm sure that a prepared speech on the floor of the US House can drone on, but one on one, they could be quite the party guest.

Now if they would only bring a side dish...