Faster horses
Well-known member
In The Reflector, Aug. 26-Sept. 1 newspaper serving North Clark and Sough Cowlitz counties here in Washington State, was this front page article that I thought was interesting enough to post here for all to readl
Baird Booed, citizens cheered~
US Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) was soundly booed at points during his 2 1/2 hr. town hall meeting held Aug. 18...while some citizens who spoke and asked questions were greeted with standing ovations.
Those attending generally supported speakers who questioned how the federal government could run a successful health care program, where in the the US Constitution such involvement in private lives is allowed, and where the money would come from to pay for such a program.
Baird said that once the program is in place Members of Congress would face the same array of choices as the general public. He said those living in this country illegally are already getting health services at emergency rooms. While the proposed bills in Congress addresses illegals, there is no verification method attached.
Baid said money to pay for expanded health care could come from taxes on wealthier citizens, corporations with off-shore operations and 'free-loaders.' Taxes would also be applied to businesses that do not provide health care, he said. Businesses with less than $500,000 in annual payroll would not face the new tax, he said.
Here is a sampling of what peopel said at the meeting and Baird's response:
Speaker A
One person said elected officials in Washington don't represent the people but represent Speaker Pelosi and the President. A standing ovation followed.
Speaker B
Although he has health insurance, a man said he cannot get the treatment he needs for mental health problems. Baird said one of hte plans in Congress would provide that mental health must be covered equally with
physical health problems.
Speaker C
A woman said insurance companies make too much profit which affects premiums. She said one company makes $106,000 an hour. "Take for profit companies out of my coverage" she urged.
"It's time to give health insurance a public option", said Baird, which was followed by a mix of applause and boos.
Speaker D
One man said that when government gets involved it lessens competition rather than building it. He urged Baird to let insurance companies compete and rates would come down. Applause. "But Washington wants to jack taxes up on private business," he said.
Baird said a public option plan would not be subsidized by the federal government but paid out for premiums. He said there would be more competition as companies entered the national pool. Boos followed.
Speaker E
A woman expressed concern about legislation that is rushed through without any input. She said bills that Congress passes would fail a public vote. She said things can be hidden in the language of bills and not come to light until later.
Baird affirmed his intention to vote against bills when he has less than 72 hours to read them. "To many don't represent us but are out to rule over us," the speaker said.
Speaker F
One man questioned what government can run successfully other than the military. Baird listed the National Institutes of Health, Geological Survey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and transportation programs as examples of successful government run enterprises. He also mentioned health care research.
Speaker G
"We have a trust issue with government," said one man. Applause.
"I am offended by government leadership making statements about those who disagree with them. I'm a vet. I took an oath to defend the Constitution." Standing ovation.
Baird repated apology for his "brown shirt" characterizaions of town hall participants. He also repeated his pledge to read bills before voting.
The man said House Bill 3400, one of the health care bills under consideration, provides for educating parents on parenting skills. Baird said he has found parenting to be complex and the federal government could give parents 'basic information about how to raise kids'. BOOS.
"Stay away from my kids," the speaker said.
Speaker H
A man said 30% of health care premiums goes to administration and that is too high. He suggested reducing paperwork and converting to electronic recordkeeping. He also said people have no way of knowing what medical procedures cost.
Speaker I
"I'm a little angry", said one woman. "We don't need the government meddling in every phase of our lives." Standing ovation. She said soon the government will tax obesity, "tell us what we can eat". She said people can take care of themselves and their neighbors. She said some people with flat screen tv's and ipods just don't choose to pay for health insurance. "I don't want to take care of citizens who don't pull their own weight." Standing ovation.
Baird questioned what should be done about the uninsured who use emergency rooms for free.
Speaker J
"I am not Demorcrat or Republican", said a man. "I am angry at the encroachment of government power in segments where it has not been.Something is going to pass and get amended." He asked if Baird would vote 'no' without sufficient reading time. Baird said he would oppose a bill if not enough time to read it.
Speaker K
Another speaker said there are not enough doctors and nurses. Baird
said there must be incentives for people to go into family practice medicine. Medical school loan forgiveness is a possibility, he said.
Speaker I
"I spend most of my time defending myself against an intrusive government," said a man. "Have you read the Constitution and Bill of Rights"? He said those documents don't talk about health care. Baird asked the man about Medicare and whether the government should have that program, in the mans view.
------------------------------------------------------
There were several more that spoke that the reporter mentioned in her article. This article in it's entirety should be added to the archives at www.therefletor.com, should anyone care to read the rest of it.
I thought it very interesting that the meeting was covered this in depth by a reporter for a newpaper. Clearly, Americans are speaking up against what is being proposed. The article ended with this:
Speaker V
"I'm sick of those who want something for nothing," said a political science student at Washington State University. "I'd rather die a patriot than live as a thief. Why should we pay taxes to help other people who won't take care of themselves?"
P.S.
Speaker S
A Marine Corps vet said he swore to defend the Constitution. he complained about a plan to "educate and indoctrinate my children.
Stay away from my kids. It's not your right to determine whether I keep my health insurance." He also said Nazi Germany was socialist, taking over the car industry and health care. That was followed by a standing ovation. "I've kept my oath. Do you ever intend to keep yours?"
Baird Booed, citizens cheered~
US Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) was soundly booed at points during his 2 1/2 hr. town hall meeting held Aug. 18...while some citizens who spoke and asked questions were greeted with standing ovations.
Those attending generally supported speakers who questioned how the federal government could run a successful health care program, where in the the US Constitution such involvement in private lives is allowed, and where the money would come from to pay for such a program.
Baird said that once the program is in place Members of Congress would face the same array of choices as the general public. He said those living in this country illegally are already getting health services at emergency rooms. While the proposed bills in Congress addresses illegals, there is no verification method attached.
Baid said money to pay for expanded health care could come from taxes on wealthier citizens, corporations with off-shore operations and 'free-loaders.' Taxes would also be applied to businesses that do not provide health care, he said. Businesses with less than $500,000 in annual payroll would not face the new tax, he said.
Here is a sampling of what peopel said at the meeting and Baird's response:
Speaker A
One person said elected officials in Washington don't represent the people but represent Speaker Pelosi and the President. A standing ovation followed.
Speaker B
Although he has health insurance, a man said he cannot get the treatment he needs for mental health problems. Baird said one of hte plans in Congress would provide that mental health must be covered equally with
physical health problems.
Speaker C
A woman said insurance companies make too much profit which affects premiums. She said one company makes $106,000 an hour. "Take for profit companies out of my coverage" she urged.
"It's time to give health insurance a public option", said Baird, which was followed by a mix of applause and boos.
Speaker D
One man said that when government gets involved it lessens competition rather than building it. He urged Baird to let insurance companies compete and rates would come down. Applause. "But Washington wants to jack taxes up on private business," he said.
Baird said a public option plan would not be subsidized by the federal government but paid out for premiums. He said there would be more competition as companies entered the national pool. Boos followed.
Speaker E
A woman expressed concern about legislation that is rushed through without any input. She said bills that Congress passes would fail a public vote. She said things can be hidden in the language of bills and not come to light until later.
Baird affirmed his intention to vote against bills when he has less than 72 hours to read them. "To many don't represent us but are out to rule over us," the speaker said.
Speaker F
One man questioned what government can run successfully other than the military. Baird listed the National Institutes of Health, Geological Survey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and transportation programs as examples of successful government run enterprises. He also mentioned health care research.
Speaker G
"We have a trust issue with government," said one man. Applause.
"I am offended by government leadership making statements about those who disagree with them. I'm a vet. I took an oath to defend the Constitution." Standing ovation.
Baird repated apology for his "brown shirt" characterizaions of town hall participants. He also repeated his pledge to read bills before voting.
The man said House Bill 3400, one of the health care bills under consideration, provides for educating parents on parenting skills. Baird said he has found parenting to be complex and the federal government could give parents 'basic information about how to raise kids'. BOOS.
"Stay away from my kids," the speaker said.
Speaker H
A man said 30% of health care premiums goes to administration and that is too high. He suggested reducing paperwork and converting to electronic recordkeeping. He also said people have no way of knowing what medical procedures cost.
Speaker I
"I'm a little angry", said one woman. "We don't need the government meddling in every phase of our lives." Standing ovation. She said soon the government will tax obesity, "tell us what we can eat". She said people can take care of themselves and their neighbors. She said some people with flat screen tv's and ipods just don't choose to pay for health insurance. "I don't want to take care of citizens who don't pull their own weight." Standing ovation.
Baird questioned what should be done about the uninsured who use emergency rooms for free.
Speaker J
"I am not Demorcrat or Republican", said a man. "I am angry at the encroachment of government power in segments where it has not been.Something is going to pass and get amended." He asked if Baird would vote 'no' without sufficient reading time. Baird said he would oppose a bill if not enough time to read it.
Speaker K
Another speaker said there are not enough doctors and nurses. Baird
said there must be incentives for people to go into family practice medicine. Medical school loan forgiveness is a possibility, he said.
Speaker I
"I spend most of my time defending myself against an intrusive government," said a man. "Have you read the Constitution and Bill of Rights"? He said those documents don't talk about health care. Baird asked the man about Medicare and whether the government should have that program, in the mans view.
------------------------------------------------------
There were several more that spoke that the reporter mentioned in her article. This article in it's entirety should be added to the archives at www.therefletor.com, should anyone care to read the rest of it.
I thought it very interesting that the meeting was covered this in depth by a reporter for a newpaper. Clearly, Americans are speaking up against what is being proposed. The article ended with this:
Speaker V
"I'm sick of those who want something for nothing," said a political science student at Washington State University. "I'd rather die a patriot than live as a thief. Why should we pay taxes to help other people who won't take care of themselves?"
P.S.
Speaker S
A Marine Corps vet said he swore to defend the Constitution. he complained about a plan to "educate and indoctrinate my children.
Stay away from my kids. It's not your right to determine whether I keep my health insurance." He also said Nazi Germany was socialist, taking over the car industry and health care. That was followed by a standing ovation. "I've kept my oath. Do you ever intend to keep yours?"