Washtenaw County students get advice from congressmen
From how much of a proposed bill they read to the one vote they regret casting, two local congressmen spent about an hour Monday morning filling in local government students about life in the United States House of Representatives.
The students - from Ann Arbor’s Pioneer, Huron and Community high schools, along with Chelsea, Dexter and Saline high schools - gathered at Pioneer to hear from Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek.
The program was put together by Pioneer teacher Tracey Van Dusen, who spent the summer in Washington, D.C., working for C-SPAN. During a meeting with Schauer, she got the idea to let local government students learn about what goes into being a congressman from those who are currently serving.
A panel of students spent time Monday asking questions of the representatives.
Pioneer's Heather Hoopaw led off with a question about how the representatives weigh their personal views on a issue, their constituents' views and what's best for Michigan and the nation when voting.
“I don’t go there as an empty vessel,” Schauer said, adding he carefully weighs the opinions of those he’s been elected to represent - even though he knows not all the people in his district will agree with his vote.
Other students asked the congressmen if they read every bill before voting on it.
Dingell said he uses staff members and other resources to go over what’s in a bill.
“Reading the bill doesn’t necessarily tell you what’s in the bill,” he said. “It’s written in good legalese.”
Schauer said he reads the bills, thanks in large part to his lifestyle in Washington, D.C.
“I don’t have a TV in my apartment,” he said, noting his wife and kids stay in Michigan as well. “(So) I read.”
Solomon Rajput from Pioneer asked the representatives about any votes in their careers they would do differently.
Dingell took the students on a bit of a history lesson, saying he regretted voting for the Gulf of Tonkin resolution that he said basically authorized the Vietnam War.
“I think that was one of the greatest mistakes in my career,” he said.
At the end of the event, Dingell told students they should “diligently interest yourself in your country” and doing so would allow them to make a difference.
David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.
Comments
Bill
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 8:49 p.m.
I apologize, but my previous post does seem to have been address toward the wrong person, due to my confusion in whether comments belonged to the person listed or below it. This confusion is purely my fault. Though I still believe that Diagenes' comment is quite off topic, I did not mean to address him or her. treetowncartel should not have been mentioned in my post. Consider my post addressed to WRTurner, and please eliminate the first paragraph.
Bill
Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 8:16 p.m.
Diagenes: I'd be surprised if you actually had a solid understanding of half of the issues that treetowncartel posted about. Yet you delighted in copying and pasting his or her entire post and portraying it as your own. Keep in mind that the post in question is completely unrelated to the article at hand. You could not invent a more original or controversial argument to post here in order to stir up resentment yourself, so you simply copied someone else's. Perhaps you wanted to restate his comment to bring yourself more attention. I'm sorry, Diagenes, but all that does is waste space in a database somewhere. Perhaps your strong political passion blinded your thoughts for a second, momentarily preventing you from comprehending the first sentence in this article. Then again, considering how foolish your post was and how many silly grammatical errors you made, perhaps it wasn't passion that prevented you from understanding a basic English sentence. You shouldn't need AP Government students to post comments refuting your baseless points and to spoon feed the meaning of a sentence to you. The article was perfectly clear about the intentions of this event. What part of "filling in local government students about life in the United States House of Representatives" did you not understand? Did you instead read that the public education system was conspiring with Dingell and Schauer to "brainwash our youth into accepting their political views?" Maybe you were capable of understanding the sentence but weren't aware that there's actually a difference between the two. I find it respectable that the author of this article and others have stepped in and have shown you exactly how ludicrous you sound, making such bold accusations without knowing any real details about how this event was prepared. The fact that you actually need people to do this should serve as an alarm to you; next time, think before you write. That way, you might sound half sane. I see that you describe yourself a "long time Ann Arbor resident" (though given the absolute stupidity and ignorance of your post, I'd be surprised if you were beyond your teenage years). Why are you still living here? If you're that bothered by this event (and the majority of those sharing your political views aren't), move somewhere else, already. Move to Texas, become a teacher, and organize a Congressional event yourself to remedy this injustice. You can be as partisan as you want. Or instead of insulting public school teachers, maybe you could direct your efforts toward something more productive, such as actually campaigning for a candidate that you support. With all due respect, Diagenes, I wish you a nice, long retirement into your own arrogance and absurdity.
APGov
Sat, Oct 17, 2009 : 6:44 p.m.
To those who addressed the article concerning the congressional forum at Pioneer: On behalf of the AP Government and Politics students of Pioneer High School we would like to clarify the actions of Ms. Van Dusen. Since Ms. Van Dusen began organizing the panel her main goal has been to maintain neutrality in order to provide all students with the greatest amount of knowledge on the functions of Congress. Hours of class time were devoted to the preparation of this event and meticulous detail was paid to maintaining an unbiased nature in those questions addressed to the Congressman. All of us hold distinct political opinions yet in the classroom we aim to learn the facts so that we can see all sides of the issue. Ms. Van Dusen has never presented any information to us in a partisan way. This opinion has been discussed and is shared by all students of Ms. Van Dusens AP Government and Politics classes. Thank you for allowing us to voice our opinion.
The Picker
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 7:29 a.m.
The Gulf of Tonkin? Really! Its time we get rid of all these ancient politicans. Don't forget the Levin bros. TAX AND SPEND, TAX AND SPEND, TAX AND SPEND...........
USMA2014
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 3:18 p.m.
This was an exceptional non political event. I was extremely happy to have this oppurtunity provided to me, and am thankful to the representatives and to Ms. vandusen. To the parents who have turned this into a political orgy- please control yourselves- you are being more juvenile then the freshmen at my school. This was not a political event and equal representation is not the priority- there are no standing republican representatives from this area, so how could they have been invited? This was about congress and what its like there - thats it.In fact if you were so involved you would have heard in the opening statements "This is a NON PARTISAN event" Please provide a candidate that is worthy before you whine-and frankly thats what your doing. As a republican I did not feel threatened or at a loss, and such intolerance and foolhardy mudslinging is embarassing. In conclusion I would like to thank the parties involved once again, and tell parents to get involved in a better way then reading about them online.
JM
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 10:33 p.m.
Not one to get caught up in pathetic arguments on the web but come on people, this is ridiculous. I am a student of Ms. Van Dusen's, I am in fact conservative, and I sat through the whole event contently! How? It was about government, not politics! That's why they call it Government and Politics AP. Ms. Van Dusen worked hard at communicating with all teachers involved and made sure none of the questions asked were politically based, AND also made sure that the panelists were half conservative and half liberal, for equal opportunity's sake. I have no idea where Ms. Van Dusen stands politically and I don't care, because she teaches us something new everyday and GOES OUT OF HER WAY to give us opportunities like this! So for any whining parents who think their kids are just traumatized by this event, you can do a couple things. 1. Work a little harder to get a republican elected in our district 2. Try to actually comprehend the meaning of this educational event 3. Complain Your choice, but for now lets just play nice, oh and maybe thank Ms. Van Dusen for working hard enough to go ABOVE AND BEYOND her job description to bring this opportunity to her students.
Andrew MacKie-Mason
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 8:54 a.m.
As someone who was actually present at the event, I can tell you that this event was not a political rally. Some questions touched on more political issues, but that was in no way the purpose. The purpose was to learn about Congress from the people that this area has elected to represent its people. Anyone who thinks that Mrs. Van Dusen teaches her class in a biased way is delusional. She went out of her way, even extending a deadline, to make sure that all points of view were reresented on the panel and did her best to keep the discussion educational rather than political. Mrs. Van Dusen should be commended for giving her students a unique educational experience and the chance to learn about Congress from actual Congressmen rather than just from a textbook.
MotO
Tue, Oct 13, 2009 : 3:41 a.m.
"I don't care for Dingell but admire his candor for his comments about the Gulf of Tonkin resolution. No one at the time had any idea of what this would lead to." - Top Cat - Top Cat if you really believe that then you need a primer in the facts. 1. They... "they" meaning the people that pulled the false flag/black Op Gulf of Tonkin L-I-E off knew E-X-A-C-T-L-Y what it would lead to... $$$$ for the exact people that President Eisenhower warned us of in his last speech. Now don't let the fact that 'they' admit it was a lie and a false flag Op. bother you... Why McNamara went on his apology... ek hemm... speaking tour to say so on campus after campus and the news all but ignored it... Think about it... Our Gov staged the Gulf of Tonkin... blamed it on N. Vietnam and escalated us into a war that cost over 3000 lives of Americans and what... Millions of others? I know of one Vietnam vet who happened to be teaching at Harvard when old Mac stopped by to yuck it up and of course apologize again and this vet had to be restrained from kicking Mac's... But what does one highly decorated Navy Seal/Underwater Demo man know... a lot! I digress... Gulf of Tonkin resolution... Puhleeeze... THEY ALREADY ADMITTED IT WAS A 100% Made Up LIE! How about "Operation Northwoods"... That is now declassified but our precious TV Friends don't seem to care... Let me refresh you: 1962...Approved for Go... all the way to the one man that said; "NO." JFK What pray tell was Operation Northwoods... Well... Just a lil plan to hijack US Airliners and fly them in to... Yep you guessed it... US Skyscapers... Now before one of the Air Force regulars insults me/us... Let me just point out that not only is that declassified and admitted as well but you can read the Op Northwoods docs yourself (see link below). Now if good old Acorn... I mean A@2.com doesn't get all fascist and delete this maybe we can save our country from the ilk like Dingle and his pals. Get Educated Top Cat... WAKE UP! - Operation Northwoods - See The Actual Declassified Docs/PROOF!!! www.whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/northwoods.html?q=northwoods.html Terrorstorm: The History of Government Sponsored Terror http://www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8136133221213939183 -- William Rodriguez: 9/11 Hero www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-276277230182836708&hl -- Reflections And Warnings - An Interview With A: F to F - Director Aaron Russo {Full Film} www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGAaPjqdbgQ. America: Freedom to Fascism - Director's Authorized Version www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173 -- Fabled Enemies www.video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-2144933190875239407 -- Truth Rising (1:55) www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9153741586264750761 -- L.C.F.C. wwww.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3719259008768610598. Go HERE TO SEE THE INITIAL BARRY JENNINGS INTERVIEW: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQY-ksiuwKU -- Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports EXPOSED! - How The Government Hides TRILLIONS In Slush Funds: www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5823209513192072459 -- Vote Scam: The Stealing of America www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=924514983687454434 -- Hacking Democracy www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7926958774822130737. or --- www.staticbrain.com/archive/hacking-democracy/ -- The Obama Deception - HQ Full length version www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw -- EndGame: Blueprint For Global Enslavement www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1070329053600562261. Endgame Bibliography- minute by minute, scene by scene All Facts Backed up! www.endgamethemovie.com/biblio01.html -- Global Warming or Global Governance? www.video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3069943905833454241 ___
Tamara Allen
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 11:56 p.m.
I'm not usually one to comment on internet stories, but before more of you launch into misguided and inappropriately personally offensive rants, please take some time to consider the following: 1. The focus of the discussion was about how congress works. The questions from the BIPARTISAN panel reflected this. 2. As stated by Mr. Jesse, the representatives were chosen because they are the members of the House that represent the districts the students live in. Also, Rep. Schauer is a freshman congressman and Rep. Dingell is the most senior member of the House, which provides a rich and interesting contrast of experiences. 3. These are AP government students. Worrying that they will all be somehow brainwashed or unduly influenced by hearing two members of the same political party speak (who were, again, not commenting on the merits of certain policies but discussing what its like to be a congressman, regardless of party affiliation) is quite frankly ridiculous. It is dismaying to see such negativity in response to what must have been an enormous investment of time and effort on the part of Mrs. Van Dusen. I am glad to see that there are teachers who are willing to put something like this together for our children. I would have been THRILLED to have had this opportunity in school. I sincerely hope everyone's whining will not deter teachers like Mrs. Van Dusen from continuing to look for creative ways to expand students' learning.
John Galt
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 9:22 p.m.
David: Kinda hard to talk about what is it like to be a Congressman and avoid politics, don't you think? And as for not having a Republican---well the local electorate does not seem to like Republicans around here---in case anyone failed to notice.
David Jesse
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 8:43 p.m.
The two Congressmen were invited because they represent the districts the students live in. Also, the conversation focused on what it was like to be a Congressman, not on political issues.
frozenhotchocolate
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 8:18 p.m.
i waited on john digall before, very nice, his wife was most pleasant. sure he's old and not modern, but with his senioroty he's brought alot of government money to the area, he is a role model.
Cartman's Conscious
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 8:17 p.m.
Can they do this? I thought only Republicans could talk at schools without announcing a head of time so people can make a big issue out of it. I mean those pinko Democrats always complained when elected representatives they didn't like answered kids questions. At least I think they did.
WRTurner
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 7:45 p.m.
Beg pardon, I meant Rep. Dingell
WRTurner
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 7:41 p.m.
Why were highschool students being exposed to two democrats instead of one each from both parties? Why did the schools go for this inequity? If you decide to bring politics into our schools, you better provide a balanced voice. What is wrong with some of you parents that either didn't demand equal representation or didn't bother to check into it at all. If there was ever a time in our history to not be paying attention to what's happening with our kids.... It's a shame Ms. Van Dusen didn't learn enough working in Washington to be able to pass on a better lesson (and example) to the children and ultimately did them a disservice. There is more than one viewpoint in our representative form of government. Sen. Dingell and Rep Schauer are both an embarrasment, by the way, and shouldn't be allowed to talk to your pet goldfish much less children, but I'm a fan of the Constitution and the 1st amendment so I guess we have to let them loose on the public.
Diagenes
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 7:39 p.m.
For 52 years John Dingell has been directly involved in accumulating trillions of dollars of federal debt, the demise of our manufacturing base and the total collapse of the Michigan economy. For all his seniority he has done nothing to make us energy independant. Instead his Energy and Commerce committee has proposed to tax energy and manufacturing companies that emmitt CO2. I wish Mr. Dingell a long and happy retirement starting in January 2011. I hope his replacement comes from a different family.
Diagenes
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 7:39 p.m.
For 52 years John Dingell has been directly involved in accumulating trillions of dollars of federal debt, the demise of our manufacturing base and the total collapse of the Michigan economy. For all his seniority he has done nothing to make us energy independant. Instead his Energy and Commerce committee has proposed to tax energy and manufacturing companies that emmitt CO2. I wish Mr. Dingell a long and happy retirement starting in January 2011. I hope his replacement comes from a different family.
treetowncartel
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 3:57 p.m.
Right after her pension was no longer in jeopardy from disapppearing.
treetowncartel
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 : 3:30 p.m.
Did anyone ask about his work on the auto company stuff and the possible conflict of interest due to his wife's employment at GM?