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What exactly is a “town hall meeting”?
We hear this term used on almost a daily basis (hourly during election campaigns) to describe the phenomenon that brings elected officials and/or candidates together with ‘ordinary folk’. In a perfect town hall environment, it gives citizens the opportunity to talk personally in a relaxed atmosphere about those issues of the day that matter and concern them. The concept of town hall meetings is borrowed from New England where small towns still get together to discuss issues.
Politicians have seized upon the ‘town hall’ concept as a way to promote themselves first, party second and ideas third. Message is usually “I care about you”. Normally this is a great way to win the hearts and minds of voters.
Not so now.
Forget about the relaxed atmosphere. Gone.
The wonderful Politico website reports the following:
“Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety — welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting, the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress.”
Ask Tim Bishop, a Democratic congressman from New York who told Politico, referring to his decision recently to suspend town hall events in his Long Island district; “I had felt they would be pointless; “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”
Republicans, whilst not yet gleeful (as they have their own problems), are keeping an eye on the mood at town hall meetings and looking at what this means for the mid terms and the next presidential election.
The Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Pete Sessions from Texas said “The days of you having a town hall meeting where maybe 15 or 20 of your friends show up — they’re over. You’ve now got real people who are showing up — and that’s going to be a factor.” When Sessions was asked how or whether the Republican Party would use these increasing confrontations against Democratic congressmen and the President himself, Sessions replied “wait until next year.”
Last night on FOX, Sean Hannity, said “Democrats are afraid to show up at these Town Halls.”
Dick Morris, author of the NYT’s best seller Catastrophe replied “this has got to be a time of unbelievable pressure (for Democrats).”
Tea parties, town hall meetings; it would seem the natives are, indeed restless. It is no coincidence Glenn Beck’s “Common Sense’ continues to top the best seller lists nation-wide.
Americans are fed up.
Comments
Here's another reason for Bishop to fear his constituents. shouldirun.com/recoverydotgov.html displays screenshots of "stimulus" projects in New York's 1st Congressional District that were supposed to create jobs, but the monetary awards are to out of district companies!
If Bishop is so at odds with his constituents that he is scared to do town meetings, it's probably time for him to retire.
If a group needs to resort to shouting down an argument they don't agree with, it means they have no legs to stand on. These are coordinated efforts, funded by the insurance companies to intimidate our representatives, silence debate, and keep the money rolling in. The whole "socialism"argument is so laughable it's sad. What are they going to do next, burn down our other "socialist" institutions like our public schools and public libraries? Maybe shut down the fire department? There's a scary taste of crazy on all of this that makes me fear for the safety of our politicians, and if anything happens, people like Beck need to be held responsible. -
It is funny how free speech is commended when angry college students "express" there anger towards A. Coulter or D.Horowitz during a speech. Never mind that these authors are merely expressing ideas and have no real control over the governing process. However, when voters show up and complain directly to the Representative and/or Senator, suddenly paco3000 thinks there is a problem.
Can you say double standard?
I think it's fine that these folks speak up at meetings, even if they are being commanded by moneyed interests. What I have a problem with is the desire to silence their opposition, which in this case is certainly not moneyed. Also with the "obama is a traitor and/or From kenya" meme's these keywords make the crazy folks feel it's ok do something c-r-a-z-y
Yep - that's how the GOP is going to rebound from 20% approval ratings - by astroturfing spittle-spraying "Crazy Eileen"s into showing up and making horses' asses out of themselves.
Yep - that ought to do it.
I have never been too much into politics, but this administration and congress has me going to Town Hall meetings, writing and calling my representatives and talking to everyone I know of the dangers ahead if we don't stop these people. We have the best Health care system in the world. Our son was suspected of having cancer. He was immediately given an ultrasound and within hours we got a call from the Dr. saying our son was clear. What did it cost us? A whopping $15.00! Who pays for our medical insurance? My husband's employer. If Obama & the Democrats have their way, my son would have been put on a 6 month waiting list just to get an ultrasound. Just say NO to Socialist Health care. We will continue to get into our representative's faces until they listen to us. If they vote for this travesty, we will fire them next fall. BTW: How many of them are going to sign their own families onto this bogus Health care plan? I hear birds chirping.
Whenever you protest tax increases, liberals pretend you want to eliminate core services like roads, police, and fire protection. Puh-leaze.
"Whenever you protest tax increases"
???? If anyone in that scruffy pack makes more than 250K, I'll eat an air conditioner, compressor and all.
I was at the Bishop Town Hall and yes it was loud and yes he was thrown off by it. This gut has never had to face this and his best solution is to ignore everyone. he is little more than a coward caught being Pelosi's lap dog. He and others like him can not stand up to voters who might actually know and care more about the matters at hand. His job is to represent and if he is too afarid to do so because more and more people don't like him , he should resign.
My Senator had a "listening session" at 7:30 am on a Saturday! He remarked several times that there had never been so many people at "listening sessions'; duh!!!! There were over 150 people there; if the meeting had been at 9:00 there would have been a much larger turn-out. No one was shouted down because he listened, treated his constituents with respect, and was not arrogant.
I saw grim, rock-hard resolve that day. Differing opinions on a variety of topics were expressed. The majority of comments on health care proposals were against the current drafts.
People clapped and cheered for opinions they agreed with, no one booed anyone. It was democracy at work.
I'm in Pete Sessions' district, and he can't handle "real people." He called it disruptive when one guy booed--just one--when Sessions blamed the banking crisis on "community organizers" (everybody else just snickered quietly). Sessions didn't stay around afterwards, either, he "cut and run" from the debate. (See Burnt Orange Report, burntorangereport DOT com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7032)
Town Halls are supposed to be for the constituents of a district with real questions posed in a civil manner--not just a party for 15-20 of your friends, as Mr. Sessions supposes.
For more about the ravings and rantings of our wingnut congressman, visit Sessions Watch at blogspot.
I absolutely believe that the Republican party is paying poor people to "protest" universal health care. Why should we put it past them?
Americans have been kicked and beaten enough! And now they are fighting back and liberal dems don't know what to do! The truth is democrats, libertarians, republicans,conservatives (all freedom loving americans are ticked off!!!! And the more the libs in government do to take away our freedom, the more americans are saying "enough"!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These guerilla tactics do not promote democracy. Conservatives are adopting the tactics of the left whom they despise. I would like nothing better than to join an open minded Republican party, but events like this drive me and others away.
Hilary and Paul:
You must be crazy to think that the republican party is paying people to voice their 1st amendment rights t a bad bill. You watch too much Rachel Madow and Keith Oberman. Think for yourself and research before you make such rediculous statments. These outrages are coming from both sides of the fence; individuals who realize our individual rights are slowly being stloen from us.
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