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U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX 26) held a town hall meeting Saturday morning at Denton's Visual Arts Center. Although the lion's share of questions revolved around health care, there were actually other topics covered as well. Here is a sampling.
Jimmy Horn, Denton, who works for a small wind company - Mr. Horn inquired regarding legislation pending or included in the cap and trade energy legislation passed previously by the House.
Michael Burgess - "This legislation now moves to the Senate side and they don't want to touch it! Members of Congress went home for Memorial Day parades and people were calling out to them from the parade routes saying, 'Don't pass it!' They returned to Washington with a look of fear on their faces."
Anonymous - I have heard about the request by the White House that we report 'fishy speech' in regards to the health care legislation and those in opposition to it. I was unclear as to what 'fishy speech' was, so I reported myself.
MB - "Channel's 4 and 5 are present and my office is broadcasting this event live via the Internet. I have always said to assume that the last thing you said will be on youtube within 15 minutes." He also discussed how he felt this practice was detestable.
Lewisville resident - Asked about 30+ czars, the First Ladies' staff numbers and ACORN dollars, stating, "We can't see their faces, and don't know who they are or where they are from." Now, this gentleman made a side comment regarding First Lady Michelle Obama, "What was her name?" which a member of the audience inside was quick to yell out, "It's Michelle!" I agree with her sentiment--his comment was unnecessary and uncalled for.
MB - "You're right, the czar situation is out of hand." Pete Sessions on Wednesday night had an equally good comment on this topic when he said, "It shouldn't be the czars we should be concerned with--it should be the elected officials" meaning that our representatives should be doing their jobs well enough that industry and individuals in those industries should be concerned about Congress' activities, not unelected czars.
Lynn Holt, Denton - There should be a 5-year moratorium on Representatives moving into lobbying positions.
MB - "There was supposed to be such a provision, but that hasn't happened."
Jason Jacoby, Lewisville - There should be an official inquiry into ACORN's shenanigans and an inquiry into the possibility of Ricoh (Federal crimes law) violations in advance of the coming census.
MB - "There is also a concern over the closure of auto dealerships all over my (largely conservative) District. And the Department of Justice recently dismissed concerns over the presence of Black Panther members outside of Philadelphia voting precincts which they said, 'Appeared normal.' " So Dr. Burgess acknowledged concerns without pledging any kind of action on the matter.
I spoke with multiple members of the audience who expressed disappointment that other topics like energy and cap and trade legislation didn't receive as much attention as well.
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