I have to say that I mistakenly believed that I lived in the United States of America where I was given the right of free speech and democracy? Is that not what we are all about?
After a Town Hall meeting that was held last evening at my son's middle school, I am appalled at the behavior that was witnessed. I do believe that my son and his preteen friends behave more like grown ups than the behaviors that were displayed last evening in that building.
First, I am ashamed to say that during his years working in law enforcement for the State, my husband was a member of the SEIU. I am disgusted to know that I am represented by a man like Russ Carnahan who would allow a woman to be in his employ who would kick a man in the head while he is lying injured on the ground.(it ended up as a racial fight against a black man for being a conservative?) I am in disbelief that adults can not gather together and speak their minds without punching one another - over healthcare?
Well, they are now utilizing that same system as one man lies in the hospital from injuries substained while passing out American Flags at a meeting.
And then to know the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES condones this sort of behavior by stating - a man who is to be representing our democratic rights of freedom and free speech - They showed video clips of the confrontational town halls that have dominated the media coverage, and told senators to do more prep work than usual for their public meetings by making sure their own supporters turn out, senators and aides said.
“If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,” Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting.
The hourlong session was the last opportunity for Democratic leaders and the White House to prepare senators for what will be a crucial month in shaping public opinion on health care. With no final legislation to promote, senators have expressed concern about dealing with questions and criticisms about the almost $1 trillion overhaul. The spate of confrontational town hall meetings have raised the stakes.
What did he honestly think would happen in a heated debate when you purposefully pull in supporters, block those who oppose your point of view and then say "punch"? He knew exactly what he was doing and the end result of his ridiculous statement. And I'm sickened by this entire set of events.
A debate is just that - both sides being able to share their point of view. You don't have a democracy when you only allow those who AGREE with you speaking. Are you afraid you will lose the debate so you have to make it one sided? Now that sounds like my middle schooler - he will win no matter the cost - cheating included - BUT - he is 11 not a grown up. Even when he's losing and is mad, t he will just get up and walk away - NOT PUNCH someone because he's losing or they don't believe the same things he believes in!
I have my right to my opinion. I have spent 2 years as one the millions of UNINSURED in this country. I am bankrupt due to medical costs. I have had to fight to get the insurance that I finally have due to disability and the inability to find AFFORDABLE and ACCESSIBLE health care. I have either been turned down due to pre-existing conditions or I have been quoted between $1500 - $2300 / MONTH for coverage. Even while I was working full-time with a comfortable salary, I could not have afforded that types of costs each month for coverage for my care. But, without the various hospitalizations and surgies, my medications now cost $1974/month so what do I do? There has to be a better way....so don't get me wrong - I am completely for health care reform. But is this the right thing?
NO.
They are trying to SHOVE a program down my throat that is being put together in the dark. The bill changes daily, no one truly knows all the pieces of it, Mr. Carnahan surely doesn't know it all..... They are trying to hurt elderly / disabled and cut their Medicare (I now have Medicare) - is this not a group that TRULY NEEDS health care coverage? They are trying to cut out those who are terminally ill - and who decides that? My best friend was terminally ill - stage 4 ovarian cancer - with treatment, she lived 11 more wonderful, work productive, years before passing last September at 51. She would have never been given that time or those years of her life - she would have honestly been a "Dead man walking"!
Have we not witnessed too many knee-jerk reactions and programs in the last couple months that have failed? We have done things like bail out the banking industry only to see the top rich get richer and the money not going where it was intended because of "loop holes" in the program. SHOULDN'T WE GET THIS ONE RIGHT FIRST? Rather than going back AFTER THE FACT and saying "Wow, we should have....??" THEN IT'S TOO LATE!!!
So why are people not being allowed to share their opinions and voices? I understand that many people are scared but to resort to violence?! Are we truly that immature?
I say, if this program isn't that bad, then why should ANY government official that WE THE PEOPLE have elected be afraid to take the health care program as their own? If it's good enough for their constituents then it should be good enough for them and their families - NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
Yes - we need change - start with insurance, pharmaceutical, tort reform - allow physicians to actually PRACTICE medicine NOT spend so many resources on CYA .... we are a broken system but this is NOT the answer!
So....if you were king for the day...how would you make these Town Meetings more productive? How would you make them so EVERYONE had a chance to voice their opinions? What would you do to make our healthcare system better? Do you agree with the direction these meetings are going? (An old couple in Florida being separated by holding the man up against a wall so he couldn't enter the room?)
I'm at a loss and saddened right now to say that this is the area where I live (STL Post Story). After knowing the lack of protection our legal system (Mr. Robert McCulloch) provides for it's abused children, I guess I truly shouldn't be surprised at this type of behavior occuring - not just "somewhere USA" but at my child's school by those in my own community. What has happened to our humanity?
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