(Many thanks for this report. If you've attended one of the town halls for your area, we'd love to see more reports on what is happening. - promoted by boadicea)
I attended tonight's Healthcare Town Hall hosted by Congressman Charlie Gonzalez. Rep. Gonzalez did a masterful job at answering the stacked deck of questions by the just-say-no obstructionists. Still, they were loud and rude and wore me down in an hour and half. I wanted to stay to support my congressman and the cause to the end, but it was emotionally draining.
Rep. Gonzalez was well-prepared for the onslaught. He required questions in advance and laid out the ground rules for civility, even invoking some of George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. |
| But even this appeal didn't quell the rude outbursts of "liar!" and booing. The obstructionists peppered themselves throughout the audience, stacked the questions, and seemed well rehearsed. One example of their choreography was when a young lady from Columbia came to the mic to "ask" her question. First, she gave her story of an immigrant coming to America, and the obstructionists started clapping for her. I knew that something was fishy, and then she continued reading her "question", talking about how she had gotten her driver's license and it "sucked" and went to the post office and it "sucked" and she had to drive up 281 and it "sucked". The obstructionists were roaring with approval. Oh, P.S.--281 is mostly in Rep. Lamar Smith's district, and we know what drove that horror show that is 281 north. She went on to say that she left Columbia and she didn't immigrate to France, she chose the United States (then why so unhappy?). Rep. Gonzalez congratulated her for her immigration. He then artfully said that we are not Columbia, we are not France, we are the United States of America, and we can do this. We can make healthcare work for all its people.
Another strange coincidence was about the fifth questioner. Oddly, it was a man claiming to have plans to run against Rep. Gonzalez. Cheers from the obstructionists. Rep. Gonzalez was choosing questions on cards out of a box. Now, what are the odds that he would choose this guy's card? Rep. Gonzalez told him he was welcome to run against him, and he had plans to beat him in the election. Even louder cheers from supporters.
There was a women sitting behind me who was especially vile and vocal. She kept calling our congressman a liar. She complained about how Rep. Gonzalez was pontificating, and I had to remind her that this is his town hall. When I was leaving I discovered her in conference with a gentleman with whom she had not been sitting. It appeared that they were the ring leaders in this choreographed circus. [I have photos and I would like to see if anyone recognizes her from other town halls.]
After an hour and a half, it was clear to me that the remainder of the questioners were going to be antagonists. I had supported my congressman and honest healthcare reform, but couldn't take the ugliness any more. It seems that the most passionate have their minds made up, and are not leaving room for debate or negotiation.
I really hope that we can shake off the muck and pass meaningful healthcare reform, and hold our country to "providing for the general welfare" that our constitution promises. |
