“Both” Lately I have tried to watch or listen to as many Town Hall meeting as possible, news shows will broadcast sound bites, and radio programs will air audio that is riveting. The truth is, both sides, for and against, are organized, whether it be grass roots, or organized by community organizers, the majority of what we see on T.V. or listen to on the radio, or read in the newspaper, it’s just a small clip of the full Town Hall meeting. Seeing the full text of many of these Town Hall meetings it is passion that is controlling these public meetings. Passion from the right, passion from the left, there have been attacks on opponents and there has been disruption for the speakers, America is more passionate today than ever.
Have we finally had enough? Or are we just burning off some steam? There are about 1300 Town Hall meetings scheduled for Congressional members during the August recess. So far these Town Halls have put the Congressional members in a very defensive mode. Although very divided, Americans are more and more becoming concerned with the healthcare bill as proposed so far. As of now more than 50% of Americans oppose the bill, but that still leaves a high number in favor of healthcare reform, causing havoc at these meetings.
The left is accusing the right of organizing against this bill and for the insurance companies, the right is accusing the left of wanting a socialized healthcare system. Both sides accuse the other of corporate organization, and both deny any affiliation of such. Both are lying! There are many unaffiliated Americans attending these meetings, they are passionate, and they are loud, they have heard and seen opponents to the bill on television and radio and a move is in motion to participate. Although I see a majority of attendees at these meetings being regular voting Americans, there are fringe groups attending that continue to add fuel to the fire, to promote agenda driven motives.
President Obama could stop all of this, Congress could stop all of this, if the majority of Americans are against this healthcare bill as reported in the poles, and reiterated at Town Hall meetings, Congress should slow down, or stop the process. They could prepare a bill and then put it on a ballot for the American voter to vote on, but this will not happen, they know it will fail in a national vote. President Obama is a community organizer, his resume proves it, he knows how it works, and he knows how to combat detractors. Before Congress went on recess, Congressional members were schooled on how to handle these Town Hall meetings. There is one problem, this healthcare opposition is growing by the day, and Obama’s core support in the Congress is crumbling. “Toto, we ain’t in Kansas anymore”
It is evident to me that opponents to the bill aren’t organized enough, town by town opponents are voicing their opinion but mostly with no leadership. Washington was caught off guard and have only been able to put together small support groups, with a smaller group of non-affiliated supporters. Which results in a scene of an organized riot. So far there has been little compromise on healthcare, Congressional leaders are attacking opponents by using swastika references, Obama hater references, and other defaming remarks, further dividing Americans. With attendees at these Town Halls being more knowledgeable of the bills proposals than Congressional speakers, it is making it difficult for the Congressional leaders to defend a bill they haven’t read.
President Obama and Congress “have stepped in it” they underestimated the American voter, and they thought they could force an expensive flawed bill thru on personal popularity alone. This bill is hurting President Obama’s favorable rating, and this bill is also putting Congressional members at risk in upcoming elections. This is just the beginning of August, many hot days to come, stay tuned.
Your views and comments are always welcome
Comments
I tend to agree with your final paragraph; however I have noticed one thing about this current "against" debate. It's being supported by people who already have adequate insurance, people who by and large did not vote for Obama during the election, people who are strongly conservative, caught up in the so-called "America land of the free hype," white people. These town hall meetings are not being attended by the same group of voters who put Obama in office. The media is not seeking out the opinions of these voters. No one has asked those who don't have health insurance what they think. And the media is not asking them and shoving their opinions to the front lines.
The people who supported the President and put him in office spoke with their voices. Now those who didn't are shouting back, but nowhere do I see anybody trying to find a common ground the work from and build from.
"With attendees at these town hall meetings being more knowledgeable of the bills proposals than Congresssional leaders."
I see no evidence, either in your article or in media coverage to support this statement. These individuals are apparently inflamed libertarians; as far as I am aware, they oppose all extensions of federal power. If I were in the gross assumption business, as this writer appears to be, I might make a converse statement, assuming that they don't care about substance and are unlikely to read congressional work product given their knee-jerk hatred of all social programs.
I would like to add one correction. I meant to say the people who supported the President and put him into office spoke with their votes not "voices."
Mr Forman, I tend to agree with you. I don't believe most of the "shouters" are that informed. Instead they're reacting to the same sound bites from the media as Mr Vantrease has pointed out.
Of course many of the people that show up are angry. It not about improving health care. It's about rationing health care. They are the ones that work and have paid their own way in life. People that have lived in Europe or Canada recognize the Obama Health plan will shorten their and their families lives as has been proven. Shame on the government for pulling this on the very people that actually work and pay taxes. This is the first time I have seen Americans afraid of their government.
Of course the freeloaders will be for this. The freeloaders probably should not have a bote unless they contribute more in taxes than they take away.
I am sorry but the congress people are less informed than the protesters. Even Obama admits to not knowing what is in the bills floating around congress.
And to the idiot Kayelless, many white people voted for this fool Obama! People did not vote for this crap Obama is trying to pull. There are plenty of all political backgrounds upset about this bill. In order to cover the uninsured we do not need to scrap everyone insurance. Also pushing a 1000 page bill no one has read is not a defendable position!
I'm sad to say I voted for the liar. He is a smooth talker and I fell for it. But now he is proving to be far too radical. My boss will close his business because he can't afford the penalty tax for not provide the government healthcare. Read it. What happened to I would get to keep my insurance if I like it? Remember that statement?
My townhall meeting and the congresswoman didn't have a clue what was in the bill she is willing to sign. Why leave this up to a select few who don't bother to read what they sign? Why not put it to a vote of the American public? If all the backlash is manufactured and the American public really want government healthcare why not put it to a national vote? BTW - only American citizens are allowed to vote.
Why are so many willing to give away their civil liberty, freedom, and even their right to live? Yes, this bill gives incentives to hospitals for "End of Life Options" -having the patient agree to stop meds, nurishment, and liquids! Help
Why not fix the corruption in Washington first? Do we really want these crooks deciding on our health? When did we stop taking responsibility for our own lives? Is our health care system the problem or our lack of taking responsibility for our health the problem? When did working for something become a bad thing?
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