As a citizen who values open, honest communication from our elected leaders, I am increasingly concerned about the tools they use to reach us.
Our representatives in Congress and our president list social media sites on their official governmental websites. They regularly post messages, updates and report official actions on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Truth Social, Instagram and YouTube 鈥 sites owned by powerful corporations, individuals who have donated to politicians, a 鈥渟pecial government employee,鈥 or in the case of Truth Social, an elected politician.
These platforms don鈥檛 just relay messages 鈥 they filter and amplify them through algorithms designed to keep us scrolling, not informed. Studies show these algorithms favor sensationalism and reinforce ideological echo chambers regardless of accuracy.
When our representatives rely on these platforms, they send our attention 鈥 and our trust 鈥 through systems that may distort their messages and enrich political donors and politicians. Their use of these platforms represents a clear conflict of interest.
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This isn鈥檛 about silencing anyone or rejecting technology. It鈥檚 about fairness, transparency and restoring the integrity of public discourse. Our representatives should model the kind of communication we expect in a healthy democracy: open, nonpartisan and accountable.
I urge our elected officials to post all official updates first on their .gov websites; make use of their franking privilege; offer email, newsletter and RSS options; and consider using apolitical alternatives like Mastodon or Bluesky. Further, I encourage them to discontinue the use of biased and conflicted platforms until they are no longer in office. These changes wouldn鈥檛 limit access 鈥 they would enhance it, ensuring that every constituent has equal, unfiltered access to the information they need to make informed decisions.
If you agree, please write to your elected officials. Let鈥檚 hold our leaders to a higher standard 鈥 one that respects both the message and the medium.
Bob Falk
Gloucester
From the Archives: Mail in Richmond
03-09-1961 (cutline): The Richmond post office is planning to replace some of its worn out trucks with right-handed drive Willis Jeeps similar to the one shown here. The Jeeps with a half-ton carrying capacity, will be used for curbside mail and parcel post deliveries in the suburban areas, Arthur W. Bruke, transportation superintendent, said yesterday. They have automatic transmissions and are powered by four cylinder engines.
07-20-1972 (cutline): One of Richmond's first mailmaids delivers letters downtown. Mrs. Nancy Johnson joins previously all-mall force.
10-24-1956 (cutline): Mail Caddy--Matthew E. Perkins, Lakeside station carrier, finds it much easier on his back to deliver mail this way. The caddy, similar to ones golfers use to carry their clubs, is collapsible and can be carried easily on a bus route. As yet, it is not official issue here. Perkins, of 2403 Langston Ave., said he bought the caddy and is using it to relieve his ailing back and the burdeon of a heavy mail sack.
10-31-1968 (cutline): One day a week, Mrs. Susie Betts, an employee of the South Hill Post Office, drives the postal truck. According to James Boddie, postmaster, her assignment carries the decription "mounted letter carrier." Mrs. Betts, a vivacious and energetic grandmother, handles parcel post with all the dispatch of her male counterparts.
06-02-1955 (cutline): It's off--First Class by air--Piedmont Airlines Captain H.H. Hutchenson (in cockpit) accepts the first shipment of first class mail to leave the city by air. The shipment was made yesterday from Byrd Airport to Ohio points.
10-17-1955 (cutline): Postmaster Fergus McRee demonstrates new mail box. J.S. Soyers, mail sorting chief, looks on with approval.
08-21-1954 (cutline): No Stretching--The Richmond post office is experimenting with two right-hand drive station wagons on its mounted delivery routes in the fringe areas of the city. Here Carrier Herman Jones easily slips some mail into a Ridge Road box by just reaching out his arm. Left-hand drive models call for considerable stretching.
05-26-1952 (cutline): Caesar Wilkins passes mail from truck to car at broad Street Station as No. 16 is readied for Richmond-Washington run. Rudolph L. Cavan checks in the pouches.
05-26-1952 (cutline): Rudolph L. Cavan picks up a pouch of mail on the 'catcher hook' at the same time tossing out a consigment for the local station.
01-20-1950 (cutline): Post Office Ready to Roll--F.A. Bristow, contactor; Postmaster Fergus McRee, and D.R. Griffith, superintendent of mails for the Richmond Post Office, inspect the highway post office which will leave her Wednesday at 6:45 A.M. on its first trip to Sanford, N.C., and return. The new service will start with an early ceremony before departure.
05-26-1952 (cutline): Woody tosses bundled mail into bags for distribution from points beween Richmond and Washington. Accuracy comes with long practice.
08-29-1966 (cutline): Richmond postmaster John G. Mizell and postal employee Mrs. LaVerne Miller stand beside a Zip Code mail collection box, one of 34 setup next to regular mail collection boxes, which will be put into operation Thursday. Mail deposited in the Zip Code boxes will be given special treatment at the main post office sorting center in an effort to speed it toward its destination. In a related move, mail collection will be advanced by two hours in Richmond's business district and by one hour in residential areas to speed out-of-town deliver.
12-10-1970 (cutline): Sacks of mail at Main Post Office here were affected by strike.
03-22-1970 (cutline): E.M. Wallace, postal supervisor, handles embargoed mail store in city. About 45,000 pieces of first class mail are held up in main post office.
06-26-1957 (cutline): Lined up in Richmond Post Office garage on Noth 12th st. are 18 mailsters which soon will be seen on the city's mail routes. Seven more will be added to the fleet later. Postal officials said the little vehicles will be assigned to carriers in some of the suburbs and fringe areas in the city. They cost $900. Powered by a 7 1/2 horse power engines under the drivers' seats, the mailsters carry a quarter of a ton of mail in the trunk.
03-12-1959 (cutline): Long line--routeman Sam H. Mellichampe starts out placing mail in a long line of mail boxes a at a traile park near Peterburg. Mellinchampe said this row of boxes is the longest on his route.
