Texans for Economic Progress

Special to TEP
By Rep. John Carter

During my time in Congress, I’ve seen many changes (some better than others, but that’s a whole different discussion). One of the biggest changes, though, is the way we communicate with people in our district.

Sure, I can pick up the phone, or even send out an e-mail. But here in my office I’ve placed a new emphasis on using social media to share my thoughts and to connect with people in a more personal way.

The rise of social media — Facebook, Twitter, YouTube — has not replaced anything else I do up here, but has merely enhanced my abilities to reach out to the public, and to let them reach out to me.

Fewer people are turning to the traditional media outlets for their information, and instead are using social media platforms for daily news. That’s why it’s important for me to share what stories and events I feel are pertinent to my constituents.

And with so many important issues taking place today in politics, and with fewer and fewer traditional media outlets around, space is at a premium. When my voice isn’t heard or known, I can go directly to social media and share it with my friends.

Social media isn’t an alternative anymore, it’s a primary way of communicating. And it’s a two-way street. While I can post endlessly on social media, it also lets constituents interact with me, and lets them get a feel of where I’m coming from and what I’m doing on a more personal level.

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posted: Jan 28, 11:44 AM