Voters were able to engage with their elected officials this past week as the House and Senate had in-district work periods. These meetings usually take place several times a year in coffee shops and places of worship and include a handful of attendees who just show up to listen. But, not in the Trump era. Senators and representatives were bombarded with questions ranging from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to the travel band and the deportation of undocumented people.

Iowa Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley hosted town halls and meetings throughout the state this past week and were met with constituents who were upset about the direction of the country, the new administration and legislative proposals. People packed rooms to express their support and dependence on the heath care provided through the ACA. Additionally, citizens used the time to advocate for their issues directly to the people who represent them in Congress.

How did the White House and some congressional Republicans respond? By dismissing the thousands of people who showed up to express their concerns and simply be heard by their members of Congress as so-called “professional protesters.”

Is this how our democracy now functions? Are concerned citizens who interact with their elected official simply written off as a paid liberal activists and have their opinions cast aside? We are living in a time when the American people seek and desire real leadership that transcends political ties. We the people want elected officials who listen and, more importantly, respond to our wants and needs.

Unfortunately, it appears that Grassley and Ernst prefer to meet with only rural voters in venues that drastically limit their interaction with larger crowds. It’s important to note that Rep. Steve King of Iowa’s 4th Congressional District did not have any town hall meetings at all this past week.

Our democracy does not stand if we the people who show up to talk with our representatives are written off as paid, professional and liberal activists. Every elected official at every level should make a considered effort to engage with the people who voted for them and the ones who didn’t. The true threat to our democracy is the lack of faith in the institution that legislates the people and derives its mandate from those people.

The next significant legislative in-state work period for senators is in mid-April. We hope that Grassley and Ernst come back to Iowa with a more open mind and provide the spaces to hear from a wide variety of constituents. Additionally, if they do get yelled at and are met with resistance, we hope they take that as a sign to move beyond dialogue and into action — not just any action, but the will of the people.

If not, their next re-election effort will be marred by commercials of them being out of touch with Iowa voters, and putting corporate lobbyists before hard working Iowa families.