My Thoughts on the Health Care Debate Sunday

I watched the Health Care debates and the vote on Sunday evening (switching back and forth between Fox News and C-Span. It was depressing, to say the least. I tweeted (you’re surprised, I know) during the entire evening. I tried to keep up with who was saying what as best I could. I didn’t mark whether the speakers were Democrats or Republicans, but it is generally very clear from what they say.

What follows are most of my tweets from that evening, with some additional commentary sprinkled in. As I said then, I can sum up my feelings simply with, “God help us.”

Don't know why I want to punish myself by watching the coverage of what's going on in D.C....but I am. I may have an ulcer by time its done!

Congressman Stupak makes me angry. He is a traitor to Pro-Life. I yelled that earlier....My oldest child and my youngest responded, "We know that!" (Do you think they’ve been listening to me rant a bit?)

The question today is how many "moderate" Democrats have been "bought off" or who "bought into" the lies! Shame on any who claim to be Pro-Life!
Congress hasn't fixed major problems in #CPSIA -- they can't be trusted to pass, and then fix Health Care bill...No way!
Rep Paul Ryan of Wisconsin: "Rule of man does not trump the rule of law" I so agree!

I liked Senator DeMint’s comment on Twitter during the debate: “What's happening in the Capitol today gives a whole new meaning to "March Madness." It would be funny, if not so sad.

The rule has passed on the House floor...Grrr...They've taken the first step towards disaster...

I was already planning to teach a class on the Constitution next fall -- didn't realize I would be teaching on a document despised by so many!

Caller on CSPAN "nothing is free" ...Wife of a doctor, she understands what Congress doesn't! HC will not be free! And will be rationed!

Rep. Hoyer is making a connection between what Congress is doing with march from Selma to Montgomery -- how dare he!?!

Hoyer: "Critics call it government takeover, not true..." How can he say that? How is this anything BUT govt take over?

Hoyer: "Critics call it tyranny...it is lower costs to the middle class...Biggest deficit reduction bill..." Where do they get this stuff?

Rep Clyburn going to start on the nonsense of the "big, bad insurance companies" again....And this bill will add jobs...Sure to the IRS...Yuck!

Hoyer: "I know this bill is very complicated...." What, has he actually read it? Doubt it!

Hoyer..."elected us to this, the People's house..." Wait, did he just say the People's House? We want our house back!!!

Rep Deal: "problem with socialism is you eventually run out of other people's money" Exactly!

Waxman again....Arrgh! "We strengthen Medicare..." How? They are weakening Medicare, not strengthening it!

Rep Upton "Only in Washington can folks stand here and argue that spending 1 Trillion dollars will cut the deficit..."

Dingell, "It's the Insurance companies who are against this bill..." No, Mr. Dingell, we the people are against this bill!

Rep Pallone: "Our health care system is in crisis..." No, it will be in crisis after this bill passes! This is not HC Reform!

Rep Whitfield "How can you strengthen Medicare when you are taking money out of it...

Markey: “The Republican Party is the Party of NO, and the Democratic Party is the party of Hope...”

Woolsey: "Being a woman is a ... preexisting condition..." What?

Rep Kline: "...Perhaps its time for Washington to stop talking and start listening...listening to calls, 13 to 1 against this bill..."

Rep Kline: "Listening to the thousands of citizens who traveled to our capital this weekend to tell us to 'Kill the Bill'"

Hensarling: "Personal freedom...So many reasons to oppose this bill...taxpayer funded abortions...Back room deals..."

Pence: "Give the people more choices, not more government!" Exactly!!!

Rep McMorris Rodgers" It is the wrong time...I urge you to vote NO...Don’t let the hunger to do something trick us into doing the wrong thing" Exactly!

Swartz "Ensuring all insurance policies use easy to understand language" ....As opposed to those who write 2,000+ page bills!

Rep Capito: good analagy about how blanket of legislation was made...and what it does and doesn't do..."flimsy fabric of broken promises"

Rep Capito: "How can we turn a deaf ear to the American people...we should stop this unfortunate endeavor...listen to heartbeat of America..."

"If not this, then what? If not, then when?" Not this, then something that is true health care reform...Not now, when we have a GOOD bill!

In case anyone wants to read what Congress wants to force down our throats, CSPAN has it for us: http://bit.ly/a4612c

After hours of CSPAN tonight, my kids are only half listening...But heard Rep Cantor - and from the other room one yelled, "He makes sense"

Rep Boehner : "Do you really believe if you like the health plan you can keep it? No you can't...Is this really the time to raise taxes?"

The House is getting a little rowdy during Boehner's speech

I like Rep Boehner better right now than when he came to Alabama to campaign for Rep Griffith, the turncoat...

Boehner is requesting a roll call vote - good for him! And reminding his colleagues that this is the "People's House"

Boehner : "We break the ties with history...If we pass this bill, it will be the last straw for the American people." Definitely!

Pelosi is going to have to follow Boehner...Fun...

Pelosi "Tonight we will make history for our country, and progress for the American people...Health Care for all Americans..." Yeah, right.

Pelosi is trying to equate socializing our health care with the pursuit of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."

Was there booing when Pelosi mentioned President Obama?

Can Joe Wilson yell "You Lie" now?

I'm so happy to hear that being a woman will no longer be a pre-existing condition...Wait, hasn't been a problem for 1st 53 years of my life.

Now we get the tribute to Senator Kennedy...gag...

Having 200 Republican amendments makes it bi-partisan? Don't think so!

Can she NOT bring up "life, liberty..." again? Pro-lifers believe in life...Pro-death folks do NOT!

Roll Call vote turned down... Now a "recorded vote" instead... Voting on Senate's bill from last December...

As I waited for the votes to be made, I wondered:
216 democrats can sell us into slavery...will they do it? Why haven't all the Republicans voted yet??? Who are the cowards who waited till the end to vote?
We have lost the battle -- can we still win the war?

So the liberals bought enough votes...why are we not surprised? You would think they were counting down till New Years.. .

Absolutely amazing. Such a major reworking of our country, and they accomplish it with tricks...

Now they are going to "reconcile" the bill...And how exactly will they accomplish that? It is irreconcilable!

The house and the senate just passed the largest pro-abortion bill since Roe v Wade went through Supreme Court. Sad day for life in U.S.

Now they’re getting into post-bill issues:
Stupak needs to sit down and be quiet, hasn’t he done enough damage? Stupak has no right to talk about what promotes life at this point...How dare he?!?

First call for the bill that "promotes social justice"..gag, gag!

After several frustrating hours, I finally called it a night…Time will tell whether this day will go down in history as “the beginning of the end” for the United States.

The 2010 Census

Many of us are upset, and rightly so, about the way this year's Census is being done. It continues to be an assault on our privacy, and much beyond what our founders intended when they authorized a Census-taking every 10 years in the Constitution.

I have seen several things now that help put the Census, and how to respond to it, in good perspective: This blog, Civil Disobedience and the Census, being one of the best.

And this youtube video, The Census is Getting Personal.

If you are looking for answers to how to deal with the Census, and how much information you REALLY need to give them, these are two great places to start.

Bill Frustration

After watching the debate and vote on the Health Care Bill last night, I went to bed very frustrated with our elected "representatives". Words can hardly explain how dangerous what they just did really is! I hope that we are able to get this law overturned before it can do the type of damage to our Country and its economy that many of us expect it to.

I put together a two page "How to Analyze a Bill" paper this morning. I wish our Congressmen were obligated to analyze the bills they vote for. But at least we can analyze them for them. The document is available as a free download from www.CurrClick.com.

May the Lord help us!

Sept 12, 1 month later

A month ago, a friend and I were on our way to D.C. for the September 12 March on D.C. It was an event we knew we had to be at, even though we weren't sure exactly what to expect when we got there. But we went, and we were glad we did.

Now, a month has gone by...Congress is back at work trying to pass through any number of bills that we would like them to leave alone (the Government takeover of Heath Care and Cap & Trade being at the top of the list), and not fixing the one bill we WOULD like them to deal with -- the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

Did our March on Washington accomplish anything? It's too soon to tell whether it did anything in the short run. But I think we'll really know the results in 2010 -- when the 2010 elections come around.

In the meantime, it was good to see that we weren't such a rare breed after all...And to be around so many relatively like-minded folks.

Universal Health Care

I've had a little more time to digest the talk we went to last night, where they were trying to explain to us how important it is to give everyone universal health care, and how cheap it would actually be.

My response can really all be summed up in a short Economics lesson: Everything we purchase has to be considered a scarcity. No matter how much of it there is, there is still a limited amount of it. (Do we have consensus on that?) In a system that is working, scarcities are taken care of with one tool – prices! And yet, under the Universal Health Care System being pushed under the Conyers bill for example (H.R. 676) – prices are taken out of the economic equation. When price is no longer allowed to regulate demand, demand ALWAYS exceeds supply. There are no exceptions.

So the bottom line with universal health care is shortages, and shortages will lead to rationing. Doesn't matter what they say!

March on D.C. final notes

I started the day with a full charge on my phone battery – but I ran out of juice, between pictures and tweets (I hit 100 tweets today before the phone died at 3:30 p.m.)

So my notes from the last 30 minutes or so of the Rally will go here instead of on twitter.

The next speaker was Hector, a former SBA Administrator: "Welcome to this Million Patriot March…We don't need another Trillion Dollars in debt to fix problems…all you're asking for are common sense solutions…(Tell the politicians), "If what you're selling is more government and less choices, we're not buying it." The crowd started chanting "We're not buying it."

Darla, one of the 9/12 Organizers spoke next, telling us that "Glenn Beck has a message for you on his website afterwards…It's been a long year since January…a lot of people thought we couldn't pull it off…We showed them! …God gave us a right to freedom, and nobody is going to take that from us! …Congress knows we're here, of course, we've shut down D.C….God has blessed America, and that blessing hasn't ended!"

Next was Bruce, a recording artist who survived Katrina and is hoping to survive Obama. He mentioned a CD he has put together: "Forgotten but not gone." The song he sang included the lyrics, "Stand up…make your voice heard…"

William: "What a beautiful sight this is…Our group's motto is "Patriotism in action"…For today, the motto is, 'It's the Constitution, Stupid!' ….Favorite amendment is the 10^th…They lie…It is time for us to stand up…Thank God for Congressman Wilson…(Tell Congress) Read the Constitution and obey it!"

The next gentleman is an immigrant from Poland (after World War 2?)…He wrote Legacy of the White Eagle about his experience in Warsaw Poland as a young man. He addressed us, "This is the greatest day of my life…I congratulate all of you for joining hands…There can be no human progress under tyranny…No sacrifice is too great in defense of freedom and independence..we have a lot to be thankful and grateful for in this great land of ours…If you've never lived under tyranny, you can't fully appreciate how fortunate you are…" He was 10 when the Germans invaded Poland, 12 when the Nazis closed their schools and he joined the underground Army, and 15 when he fought in Warsaw. "If you can imagine 180,000 people dying in 2 months…" Then he was transported to a POW camp from which he escaped 9 months later. "Why did kids like me fight? Because of our shared legacy of Freedom!" Chants of freedom through the crowd. "Visit Arlington Cemetery while you are here…Remember the young men and women who laid down their lives for you….Our responsibility to keep the flames of freedom burning."

Last speaker: "Get involved..Today is not the end, it is the beginning…We are ALL Community Organizers! …We are working on a Contract From America."

And with that we headed out – quietly, respectfully…An amazing day, I'm so glad we participated! At that point, we were tired, hungry, thirsty, in need of a real chair to sit in, and in need of restrooms…other than that we were in great shape….We headed down Pennsylvania Avenue, back towards the Metro trying to decide where to stop that 100's of others wouldn't be at – when I spotted the tower of the Old Post Office – so off we went – and took care of all our needs! Great, easy, end to a wonderful day.

 

August Town Hall in Athens

The week had started with a 4 hour Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Parker Griffith in Florence, and I certainly thought that was plenty. But then the emails started coming in about the Friday afternoon Meeting in Athens…And a request for the attendance by as many of us as possible…So I made arrangements for my daughter to watch our store, and off my son and I went for Athens. This one was only scheduled for 2 hours, so we figured it shouldn't last TOO long!

This was to be the 6^th Health Care related event I had attended in the last two months, and I must say it rated as the most uncomfortable! They had set up ~120 folding chairs on a gym floor -- - and the rest of us got to sit on bleachers! We guessed that there were at least 400 folks at this one by time it got going, maybe more like 500 or 600.

Promptly at 2:00 the event began with an invocation. It was considerably longer than Monday evening's: "…here today as a community…gather today out of a common concern…give thanks for gift of freedom…acknowledge many perspectives…seek your wisdom…help us to remember the Common Ground we come from…your compassion eclipses partisan politics…"

Then a Professor came up to finish welcoming us: "The University is proud to have Congressman Griffith here…but we are also proud to see you here…Mr. Jefferson would be proud…Health Care consumes 16% of our national wealth every year…Congress is engaged in a great debate (on Health Care), the first in over 40 years…(Remember) hearing yourself talk is not always the best exercise of the First Amendment…Our Congressman is new to Congress, (it is his) first term…not new to this topic, since he is a physician by occupation."

There were two microphones set up, and we were directed to keep our introductions short, under one minute. (That continually proves to be a hard concept for so many at these meetings!) As usual, I took detailed notes during the meeting, and share those here. Parker Griffith's words, as best as I could record them that afternoon, are in bold below and my thoughts are italicized. I have also underlined some of the key points.

Congressman Griffith started his introduction: It is gratifying to see the interest in Health Care…America is no longer confined to the TV set…(But I) must say to you that there are other issues should turn out for – education (and) illegal immigration (are) serious problems in our country.
[1^st applause this afternoon]
If he wants us to attend Town Halls on those other issues, guess he needs to try setting them up…Only then might he be able to complain that we don't care about those other issues as well.

He continued: The federal Government has no backbone to close that border
[2^nd applause]
I have to ask myself when I hear these comments – did he misspeak, or does he truly want NO immigration from the South…If that is not the case, he wants the border secured, not closed – there is a VERY important difference!

Now on to today's topic: Let's talk about Health Care…The American public is living longer and longer…and people from all over the world come here for Health Care. [applause]
But where will we/they go if this wonderful Health Care system is destroyed?...system second to none. Trying to fix SMALL part of it. But aren't we in danger of destroying the entire thing with most of these "fixes" being suggested? Trying to provide access for small number (lost jobs, etc.)…We have decided in America to air this out/tee this up. Well, no, let's get this straight, Congressman Griffith…The President and Congress decided to make these major changes, and we, the People, have forced the issue by not taking the changes quietly. …We are asking ourselves as a Nation…

One of those, the Waxman bill, is already out of committee…I am not for that bill and will vote against it. (applause) …But doesn't mean (I'm) against reforming Health Care… At this point he launched into the tragic story about Patsy and her cancer that we heard Monday evening. …Can we find (the) solution to that problem? …Waxman Bill is a threat to Medicare…We need a solution…There is no Senate bill yet…2 committees…Vast majority want us to improve our Health Care… Do you really care what we want? I don't believe the majority wants the Federal Government trying to "fix" Health Care…and does it really matter what the majority "wants", if there is no money to do it?!?

Griffith continued: How did we get in this fix? Times have changed since World War II…every company began to offer perks, and one of them was Health Care…We had men and women who worked at the same companies for 20 – 30 years…A system that we were used to became scrambled…For small companies (it is) too expensive…no health insurance…(There was a) great debate back in the 90's that went nowhere…Big companies, pharmaceuticals, etc. were against any reform…(Now we are) trying to reform this Health Care system around an acute shortage…the typical medical establishment failed to recognize Baby Boom generation coming through…even wealthy counties like Madison, hard to get Medicare patients seen…

Griffith started to make his proposals for correcting these problems: …good students being turned down by medical schools, need reform [applause] …Tort Reform
[applause] At this point Griffith had been talking for almost 15 minutes, and sounded like he would have continued, until one brave soul walked up to one of the empty mikes and asked for the opportunity for the audience to be heard by the Congressman now, instead of the other way around. Within moments, lines were forming at both mikes:

1. "I don't understand…why can't we think outside the box? (Are we offering) a blue ribbon plan or bottom level plan?" Griffith: Insurance Companies need to be reformed, need to compete across state lines. Oh yes, those big, bad insurance companies again… isn't it the fault of governments (state and/or federal) that insurance companies CAN'T currently compete across state lines?!?
   Questioner: "(Could set up) community Centers to provide Health Care for those without insurance…" Griffith: (There are) not enough of them.
   
2. "On FTC commission, are you not?" Griffith: No, I'm not. Questioner: "Why are we allowing trucks and truck drivers coming across the border and taking jobs from Americans?" Griffith: Until the federal government stops it…and your elected officials take care of
   {At that point someone pointed out included him.}
   I'm on your team, don't fight me. Questioner: "Other question, what would it take for you to vote for Obama's plan?" Griffith: He doesn't have a plan…he's waiting for Congress to fight this out…One day he says this and one day he says that… Seems like Griffith won't be real popular with his own party when he returns to D.C. next month! But I'm still not convinced he has any plans of switching parties!
   
3. George, from Liberty House: "…Congress didn't write these bills, lobbyists did… [applause] We ask that bills be available for 14 days on the internet before any votes and that those who wrote the bills are listed in the bills, an annex…Health Care is only the symptom." [applause] Griffith: I authored two resolutions…they would require that any Health Care bill must be on each Congressman's desk for 1 week before a vote and any Health Care plan passed becomes Congress' plan. Kudos to the Congressman for each of those proposals – but my understanding is that they have both failed…so nothing really changes. It's not lobbyists who write bills, they write checks…The most dangerous individuals are the long term staff.
   
4. An older gentleman was up next: "Most of adult life working for the federal government…I learned one thing: Whenever government buys anything, its market value falls to zero….(During) LBJ's Great Society – Medicare checks devalued husband/fathers – 42% of kids now live in home with no father or step-father." (Someone in audience stood up and yelled: "Are you advocating getting rid of Medicare/Medicaid?") The gentleman continued: "General Motors was selling at $42/share…now Government GM, is not even listed on Dow Jones – it's penny stock…" [There were boos from the audience when Congressman Griffith tried to explain the demise of GM was because of debt at top and Toyota…]
   
5. Next older gentleman explained: "H.R. 3200 isn't about Health Care, it's government control."
   [applause]
   "We don't want a greater expansion of our entitlement society, we will run out of our money."
   [applause] "The (true) number of uninsured does not equal 47 million, that includes illegals and those who don't want insurance. Only about 3% of population is uninsured. [Audience members yelling, "Ask a question."] He quoted from book, "Goal is to keep us on the plantation." Griffith interrupted: Town Hall Meetings tend to go to the negative…The Judeo-Christian ethics is woven into capitalism…I don't want us to believe (we are) not the best in the world. [Audience member yelled, "Get government out of it."]
   
6. "One solution would offer: small number who need Health Insurance, Health Care, Government can help those…(could) easily pay for (it, with) Health Care stamps, however you want to do it…Government facilities…Has to be a way to deal with illegals clogging Emergency Rooms before we close our borders…Do you believe any bill that rations Health care would lessen our life expectancy?" Griffith: No question. But Judeo-Christian ethics reject that.
   
7. Diane: "First question: "What was your very first vote as our representative?" It was clear she already knew the answer…Griffith danced around the question/answer before he finally admitted: For Pelosi (as Speaker of the House). Second question: "In Florence several people asked you Constitutional questions; do you carry with you a copy of the Constitution?" Griffith answered: No. To which she responded, "I have one for you to keep with you…this is it…you don't need a 15,000 page document." [She got a standing ovation while she was taking it up to him.]
   
8. A 19-year-old student from UAH spoke next: "…My Mom had ovarian cancer…no chemo ever worked…She is using an experimental drug, which is banned in Canada and U.K….Obama would decide if my mom is worth the money…Obama is so arrogant, he thinks he can play God." [applause] "Will you stand up to Pelosi?" Griffith: Absolutely.
   
   
9. "In 1963 my husband enlisted…(we were) promised Health Care for life, not true…perhaps we should go looking for all these "lost dollars" first…We would ask for at least one week on ANY bill, and no last minute additions…How can we stop Cap & Trade?" Griffith: Cap and Trade is a perfect example of why Blue Dogs decided not to let Waxman do that to American people again. Why did they let Waxman do it once? We knew it was a bad bill! Why didn't ALL of the Blue Dogs and Republicans vote against Cap and Trade?!?…Pelosi didn't bring Health Care to the floor, she didn't have the votes. Barack Obama's responsible…we learned a lesson with Cap and Trade, men and women folded under pressure…American people don't want (it). [applause]
   
10. Christie, Huntsville Tea Party Organizer: "In Florence you said, 'You liked Price's bill, but it doesn't have enough support.'…Will you get behind this bill and give it the support it needs?" Griffith: I will.
    
11. Dale Jackson came up next. He started in politely enough, "Thank you for holding these events…Thank you for opposing HR 3200 and Cap and Trade…" But Griffith was ready for him: Why did you falsify the state seal? Dale explained his mistake and then asked, "Is it important that Congressmen have integrity?" Griffith: Yes, it is. But then Dale started wasting time talking about Pelosi, and then the "secret" meeting in Decatur… Griffith wasn't happy: You took it out of context…There was an individual recording…It was a joke…you're an entertainer, son. [Much of the audience started yelling, "Next".] A wasted opportunity, Dale, in my humble opinion. So many important things you COULD have asked him.
    
12. An older gentleman was next: "$91 Trillion deficit over next 10 years…How do you propose that any costs of any Health Care (Reform will) be paid for?" Griffith: We've gone off the cliff on debt…Unless the Senate can come up with a bill that is deficit neutral. Since that will NEVER happen, except with rationing, which he claims is wrong, they should just give up and move on to other things…maybe protecting our Country from enemies?
    
13. "Half my face is paralyzed permanently…I'm married to a Marine…I went to see military doctors…I was misdiagnosed for 5 months…until got permission to see private doctor (diagnosed with a childhood cancer at 22-years-old)…(There) will be rationing of care…I've been trying to read the bill…The committee (will all be) appointed by the President directly or indirectly. Too much power for any one man…" [applause] Griffith: One of many reasons Waxman bill can't be law! The Commissioner will be kind of a king or a czar…We've already established going to kill bill, so relax… Excuse me, Mr. Congressman, that was very rude! We won't relax until the bill IS killed…Promises to do so don't mean much.
    
14. "Most doctors in Alabama oppose Waxman…It is very complicated to treat patients…Pharmaceutical companies are raising the cost of Drugs." Griffith: A deal about 8 weeks ago between the Executive and Pharmaceuticals…can't stand. [applause] …We know we CAN improve our Health Care system…We know we MUST improve our Health Care system.
    
15. "…Drugs I had been using, are now being denied…I don't want to live in country where being run by czars who don't believe in the Constitution." [applause] "…I heard Obama (would be) doing away with the insurance I have…it replaces Medicare (Medicare Advantage)…Why would they do that?" Griffith: Many of Medicare Advantage have been sold well… I must have missed the point somewhere in that answer.
    
16. Older gentleman: "…(Tell us) why you voted for Pelosi?" At this point, it feels like we need to get beyond Pelosi! Griffith: New Congressmen…As Blue Dogs, we sat down with Pelosi… Gentleman: "Do the Blue Dogs control the way you think? Why did you vote for her?" Griffith: …We needed the support of leadership…Committees…
    [audience members yelling "Pork"] Griffith: Bridge and schools are not equal to Pork….The opportunity to do…to help my district… I wouldn't vote for her again… What's good for this district is important. Gentleman: "…Won't be any grandchildren if you continue along this path…What is COBRA?" Griffith danced around the answer, before finally saying: Ability to continue insurance after lose job… Gentleman: Single Mom who just got laid off, would she get treatment at Huntsville Emergency Room?" Griffith: Yes, but we want to see her earlier. Gentleman: "You want to steal all of this money…" [audience members yelling "Next"]
    
17. This older woman went on and on about shaking Griffith's hand and Senator Kennedy... "I want to tell story…" [boos] "I'm going to tell it anyway…His son, with treatment after lost leg… Said he couldn't have afforded it without his senate insurance…" [more boos] She finally asked Griffith a question, "Are you willing to give up money you've received from Insurance Pacts?" Griffith: Not the facts…I have accumulated whatever wealth I have by grace of God and hard work…I cannot be bought by any individuals… Her: "Pacts are not individuals…Will you give back the money you got from the Insurance Pacts?" At this point Griffith was getting upset, maybe because she wouldn't accept his answer.
    
18. "…I'm a right wing terrorist, not wearing a swastika…Would you vote for any bill that funded abortions overseas?" Griffith: No. "(Do you think they should have) access to our accounts?" Griffith: No.
    
19. U.S. Army retiree: "How will we pay for this? I can't afford more taxes…I'm working harder in retirement to protect freedoms for my grandchildren…"
    
20. Older gentleman: "I voted Republican, but very impressed today…" By what? Someone PLEASE tell me what Griffith said at any of these Town Halls that should have impressed a Conservative?!? "…a Legal house of prostitution in Nevada was taken over by IRS; they couldn't sell sex and booze, how can they sell this?"
    
21. Karen: "…an enigma – Conservative from Massachusetts…any price you can be paid to vote for Pelosi next time?" Griffith: No. Karen: "…Convey to your colleagues…you are employed by 'We the People'…We need Term Limits…This entitlement mentality…What has happened to personal responsibility in this country?"
    [major applause]
    "Do you oppose Fair Tax?" Griffith: Don't know yet. Haven't read it.
    That's a dangerous expectation to start there, Congressman Griffith, we might start expecting that type of reaction on every bill you are presented.
    [The Audience is getting rowdy, they have less and less patience with those who don't get to a question quickly.] Karen: "…We need picture IDs to vote…" [audience: "where is question?"] "…fire in your belly…I would cast my first Democratic vote, but I would love to see you flip to the Republican Party." Again, I have to ask "Why?" Griffith:
    Left wing crazies are as crazy as right wing crazies… Guessing that was his way of telling us he was content right where he is; but would we be better off with another RINO anyway?
    
22. I recognized this gentleman from Florence Town Hall, where he asked a similar question about Drug Companies and Doctors. I don't get the impression he likes either group very well. Griffith: Drug companies have too much power…but experimental drugs cost millions to develop, even those which fail…easy to suppress creativity…
    I don't remember that attitude about Drug development on Monday evening, Mr. Griffith…Does that mean you are learning? Or just changing your answers to please us? Gentleman: "Tort Reform – return to hands of people." Griffith didn't respond to that comment, maybe he didn't understand it any more than I did.
    
23. Bob, an older gentleman, who had been a pastor for 25 years: "You mentioned…Judeo-Christian…What is the foundation of the U.S.?" Griffith: Other than the Constitution? Bob: "What you think (it is)?" Griffith: "Freedom…to make choices…to fail…to reach potential…a country born of an idea, not a geography…Christian…
    [applause] Bob: "Past 16 years, I've been teaching high school History/Economics…my greater concern: I subscribed to the White House newsletter, and the first one blew me away. 'Dear Friend…a nationwide…building a NEW foundation for America…' Do you believe…that America needs a new foundation?" Griffith: I do not.
    Then why do you make all these suggestions that would take away our freedoms, and would tear at our foundation?
    
24. Older gentleman: "…all Blue Dogs are going to have their arms twisted…" Griffith: It has already happened. This is hard ball. Like being in the principal's office. I'm new up there, but I'm not new! Gentleman: "Average people…we're fearful of what this country's becoming..." [applause]
    
25. Very old gentleman, couldn't understand his question, something about cancer and cancer tests… Griffith: Tests varied…and very complicated…specifically, can't answer.
    
26. "…Millions of Americans uninsured continue to (just) survive…(Yet there is) more outrage over Vick's actions towards dogs…(Always) excuses: socialism, too expensive, death panels…(Then) why do grandmas live longer in Europe than here? …Obama is a Christian…This is a moral issue like Civil Rights… [boos] …(We are in the) Bible belt… (In Heaven, when Jesus says, you) 'saw me sick and uninsured', how are you going to answer the Lord?" [audience – "Thou shalt not steal"]
    
27. Stephanie, from Huntsville: "Will you dismantle Medicare and Medicaid?" Griffith: No, but if we allow government to compete with private insurance companies (it won't matter)…(this) program (has the) potential to drain people (from their existing plans)… She asked again, "You don't support a government option at all?" Griffith: Medicare and VA are existing systems, but they are not working well. Stephanie continued: "…(In) Canada they will fly you if you live in rural area… [negative reactions coming from the audience]
    
28. Older gentleman: "…We haven't talked much about Health Care (here today)…Is it a right? …(Is it) a privilege? …We know our Health Care system needs reform…In 1992 (there was a red flag, but) nothing was done…(It was all) left in private hands, (with) insurance companies…(But) now (we are) in a dilemma…Think we all know need reform…83% (approve)...(There are) more and more losses because of loss of jobs… [audience: "ask a question"] …we're losing…The only way is to put some pressure on insurance companies is a public opinion." [boos] Griffith: Every major employer in U.S. is begging us to make this an affordable system…change from '92, back then all your major companies were against any reform…all recognize this as a competitive problem
    I think we need to go back to one of the first people, who warned of government competing with private enterprise.
    …without us improving the system…(It is) a business decision on CEOs part…Half of all deaths in America in the next 100 years will be preventable. When did Griffith get a crystal ball? …smoking is a self-inflicted wound…obesity/diabetes (are lifestyle choices that add a) huge cost into our system…(Because of this) the life expectancy (of kids) is already going down…personal accountability… Personal accountability should be exactly that, personal!
    
29. Gentleman from Limestone County said something about silly discussion of co-ops. Griffith: You need a critical number of people, (there are) not enough in Alabama who are uninsured (only 600,000)…They threw the word out, (but) national co-op not any better than (government option).
    
30. Very old gentleman asked: "…Is it true that people in U.S. fund the research of new drugs?" Griffith: A big federally funded organization does fundamental research, then promising finds are shown to a Drug Company, who decides whether to raise millions of dollars to do toxicity study, study of last resort, and then the FDA considers release…(The whole process can take up to) 15 years. Gentleman: "American people, not other countries, are paying for…Other countries should be paying for drug development, too...Obama, the people he surrounds himself with are Communists. Griffith: He is having trouble transitioning from Candidate to President. Gentleman: "…Say public health care passes – will abortion be included?" Griffith: In the Waxman bill, yes! Gentleman: "I don't want my tax money paying for abortion."
    
31. Martha, as one Health Care practitioner to another: "Have you heard of the Australian filing a lawsuit against U.S. officials, for attempted 'mass murder' with mixture of swine flu, avian, and tama flu…to use as vaccine? (It is a) criminal act to refuse forced vaccines…" Griffith: I will look into that.
    
32. Older woman: "Back to illegals…illegals are not going to be covered in Health Care, however also heard if there is one citizen in the family, the entire family is covered." Griffith: It is not true that (illegals) won't be covered; the border has to be closed. Her: "Why do they say it?" Griffith: …Trying to get it (the Health Care bill) passed.
    
33. Retired female teacher: "Inquire about the Health of our Nation…(I am) thankful for TV; it covers a lot that needs to be covered…" Griffith: Very concerned…Obama will be a one-term President if this is rammed down our throats [No reaction today to that comment] …The danger is we don't care enough to change things…
    
34. Older man: "We (my wife and I) worked on your campaign…I have a rhetorical question: as someone who cannot buy individual Health Care at any price, how can we contain costs without a Public Option?" Griffith: Four changes would make that happen. Him: "I don't share your confidence."
    Griffith:
    …I think we can change that without a Public Option.
    
35. Personal friend of Terri Schiavo, daughter of World War II Vet who committed suicide, thanks to Hemlock Society: "…You are a Senior Citizen, a physician, and a politician…do you see anything in HR3200 (that starts us down a) slippery slope…" Griffith: …If we are paying physicians to discuss end of life care…becomes a standard…Language means something, (which is) why we don't want it rushed through… (Well, I would agree that it's ONE of the reasons we don't want it rushed through, but ONLY one.)
    
36. Vet: "…(We want) a Congressman who talks the talk AND walks the walk…You rival Obama in speaking skills…(But I am) disappointed, (since you are) unique as physician and as a Blue Dog, you could lead the opposition against this – with one phone call. Griffith: …It could make my effectiveness LESS if I was a TV "thing"…I am working behind the scenes, (since the) Congressmen I serve with are not physicians; I have to sit down with them and go over again and again…(If you become a) media star, you lose your credibility with your peers. Vet: "You need to influence the American people…through the Media." Griffith: It's going to be a different Congress…in September.
    That is certainly our hope, but it is hard not to think those are hollow words.
    
37. Older woman: "…HR 219 (has been) in committee for almost 2 years; (it is) robbing from Social Security…Why are we so intent on pork barrel spending? …Our President wants us to be a third world country…(he is surrounded by) communists (who) don't pay taxes…" Griffith: We are showing our muscle with this… Her: "Take some of that money out of the Stimulus and put it back in Social Security…ACLU should be closed down; they get paid with taxpayer money."
    
38. Older gentleman, retired Navy vet, fully dependent on VA care: "…I can't stand, because in pain, can't work, because can't breathe…What are you going to do to help me? …" Griffith: …We are completely dedicated in this Congress to improving our VA system, (to get rid of) rationing… (It is an) overloaded system; …a very, very difficult problem…My office is here to help you… Him: "Regulations from Washington make it more difficult to get care…(with) too much government, it can get broken!" Griffith: …Health Care…like Post Office…our men and women not be attracted to medicine… I think I missed something in that answer, sorry.
    
39. Older gentleman, Marine, son in Iraq: "…I did this for freedom of speech… We should be respectful of all…We need Term Limits, redistricting…reappropriating of Congressional seats…Term limits is pie in the sky…(We need a) reasonable number of reps serving reasonable number of people…The Census occurred…(In the past) Congress expanded the House of Representatives; (if we) enlarge Congress two – three times, so have more voice in Congress… Griffith: No real answer. Gentleman: …TV...sick of…FCC… [At this point the audience started yelling "Next" and being quite rude.]
    
40. Mr. Wall: "…offering solutions, not just criticisms…I am self-employed, so one but me responsible for my Health Care [applause] Two Bills (you might want to endorse): HR 1495 and HR 2630. First one let's ME compete with private insurance [applause] …Tax credits (give me) more money in my pocket, so I can help those who need help…Have you heard of these? Do you support them? Are you familiar with how low percentage (of charges) insurance companies actually pay?" Griffith: …Great idea…don't know of those bills… Mr. Wall: "Credit so reduce taxes pay for insurance…(Should also) look at tax rebate for EXPORTS…" [more applause]
    I'm not sure if Mr. Wall ever mentioned Dr. Lappert by name when he was referring to us competing with insurance companies, but I had my notes from Dr. Lappper's talk a couple of weeks ago, and presented them to Mr. Griffith's staff member afterwards.
    
41. The Tea Party Organizer from Limestone County spoke next. She spoke of: "…I am part of the majority – opposing government (intervention? option?)…I am a gun owner…The Obama administration is working behind the scenes to take away our rights to bear arms." Griffith:
    …NRA monitoring EVERY bill submitted to Congress….alot more diligent than you think…Every bill dropped in to the hopper is read by them… That was an amazing concept to me – the NRA is capable of monitoring EVER bill submitted to Congress, but our Congressional representatives can vote on them without reading them?!? Her: "Assurance, you will fight for our right to bear arms?" Griffith:
    Unequivocally! She ended by invited us to join her in D.C. on September 12. I hope to see you there!
    
42. Small business owner…He and his wife are independents, Conservatives, Christians: "Two factions concerned about in D.C…. Pelosi/Boxer/Reed faction…Other faction…Rahm Immanuel…Frank Lloyd…Is this a back door?" Griffith: …The lines are drawn…It should be clear to all of us…The people the President has surrounded himself with…(We can't let it) divide us on an issue…we have to be American…independent thinking…vote for the woman/man/issues.
    [applause] Businessman: "…Dan Jones, head of the Apollo Alliance, is taking credit for authoring the Stimulus bill…" Griffith: The Stimulus…has been a disaster.
    
43. Retired gentleman: "…VA had database compromised about three years ago…(An example of) government in action…In Seattle, Washington (there was an) article in the paper about illegals…taking jobs from U.S. Citizens." Griffith: The Stimulus bill had E-Verify in it when it left the House, it was gone when it left the Senate. Retiree: "…Democrats voted against it overall…" Griffith: I would have voted for E-Verify. Retiree: "…Acorn & SEIC…Acorn…why hasn't Democratic Party demanded the A.G. investigate Acorn? Griffith: The issue in many districts (is that there) are many Congressmen/women who will block…
    
44. "We need to learn to disagree without being disagreeable…If government wants to be involved – issue vouchers for physicals every 3 – 5 years… And how much would that cost? And who would administer it? I don't trust the government to come clean on this…(I was in the military during the) Vietnam era, as an Officer, I was promised Health Care and Dental Care for myself and my wife for the rest of my life…The only winners will be the bureaucrats who administer that system…" Griffith: …We have a fundamental distrust of government…In God we trust…(We believe in) Personal accountability…Your freedom is in your wallet…(This is a) nation of free will and free choice….It is hard to tell people what they can and cannot do…Those of you who don't believe in Government intervention…the polio vaccine was developed without one penny of government money.
    

Almost an hour later than the 4:00 scheduled end, the Town Hall was closed out with these parting words from Congressman Griffith: …It is wonderful that we are here…America goes through these cycles of agreement and disagreement…(An important) issue that didn't come up…You should get involved in your school system…

I went up and talked to the Walls for a few minutes about the bill, and Dr. Lappert's previous talk on Health Care. Since some of Lappert's points had come up, I presented my notes from that talk to a young man on the Congressman's staff. I don't know what the likelihood is that anyone connected to the Congressman will actually read the various things that were presented to them, but figured he certainly wouldn't read it if we DIDN'T share it with him.

After three Town Hall Meetings with our Congressman, I still don't trust him NOT to vote for this bill (or something equally bad), and I am not ready to consider him the next candidate for party switching, but we should at least hold out SOME hope that he's right that the Blue Dogs WILL succeed in keeping the liberal Democrats from ramming the worst of these things down our throats! And we should pray our country holds on until the 2010 elections, and succeeds at that point in changing the tune being played in Washington!