Town Hall Meetings

[jaesun]

OK, I'm here at the house watching a few major news channels (CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc.) back and forth for the past few hours now.

And as I watch these protesters at these town hall meetings I see a lot of people passionate about the message they are trying to send to their reps. I feel their concerns and agree with much of their message. Yet, I do wish these people would curb their anger just a little bit and try to do things more civilly.

Nothing will be solved by shouting down these politicians. No one will listen to you if you are yelling over one another in a great mass that just sounds like white noise when I see the videos. I can’t make out what anyone is saying and I can’t hear the rebuttal. Charging up these meetings with emotionally charged shouting is hurting your cause IMO. Be civil. Show your concern and show how strongly you feel about your concerns but do it in a civil way. Don’t become just some other a-hole protestor letting your anger consume you.

I encourage everyone to stand up for what you believe in and get out to one of these town hall meetings within your own community to have your voice heard (no matter what side you are on). But PLEASE… don’t act like an ass, don’t shout out without it being your turn to speak, don’t get confrontational and up in anyone’s face. Do what you can to make sure your voice is heard but please do not start shouting and jumping up and down like a fool. It turns supporters away from your message. Speak in a normal tone but do it with passion. Having passion in your voice to get a point across does not mean you have to yell at the top of your lungs.

I understand you are angry. I’m there with you. I understand you may have never been a part of something like this before. Most of us who oppose single payer HC are just average joes who have never felt this passionate about the direction of government and the major increase in size of government enough to get out of our comfort zones and take action. You might have never been this frustrated with your government before enough to even consider standing up for yourself in this way. But it can all be done in a civil way.

All this “rabble rabble rabble” isn’t going to get anyone to listen to you.

Anyway, I’m not sure what I even wanted to accomplish with this post but I just wish everyone would chill out a little… but please take great action. Your concerns are valid! No matter what your concerns may be. You have a right to be heard! And please do everything you can to make yourself heard. But do it in a more effective way. People will listen.

[matias pecile]

I think more people should take action by stating how the people taking action are taking action incorrectly

[Keith P]

I see alot of people from Arkansas crying about vague assumptions and their "way of life". Not to mention big business playing with the minds of the middle class and poor like a puppeteer.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Keith P

I see alot of people from Arkansas crying about vague assumptions and their "way of life". Not to mention big business playing with the minds of the middle class and poor like a puppeteer.

lol - well, we all know people from Arkansas are stupid and therefore their opinions are of zero value

[Keith P]

Originally Posted by PETA

lol - well, we all know people from Arkansas are stupid

The people I'm seeing on the news certainly are.

[jaesun]

Originally Posted by matias pecile

I think more people should take action by stating how the people taking action are taking action incorrectly

Well, let’s say we have opposing views on a subject that we are both extremely passionate about (as we almost always do, Mat ). So we decide to have a meeting to discuss our differences and stress how we feel the dirrection of future action should be taken.


This meeting is to give everyone a chance to have their voices heard. All of this to make sure we ALL understand one another's concerns so we can make the appropriate changes that need to be made to see that it will benefit us all.


(because when it come to HC I think we all agree something needs to change)


Would you be more apt to listen to me (and then hopefully come to some sort of solution) if I were shouting, talking over you, and chanting slogans or would you prefer I speak to you with a clam composed approach allowing each side to speak their mind back and forth in a constructive manner?

[matias pecile]

you're actually very right about your entire post .. I just felt like breaking your balls for a moment :P

[tricky]

http://www.stopmedicare.org/

Medicare is Socialized Medicine!

Contact
Operation Eliminate Medicare

On August 22, 2009, We The People fully intend to hold rallies outside every Congressional office to support the end of Medicare.
We need to show our elected politicians that we are tired of the government meddling with our health care. It is time to put an end to the socialistic Medicare program once and for all.
We Need Your Help!

If you believe that our senior citizens deserve the benefits of a free market, private, health insurance system, join us on August 22, 2009. Let the government know that we will not put up with socialized medicine for our senior citizens. END MEDICARE NOW!


FAQ:

Q. Is Medicare socialized medicine?
A. YES! Medicare is a single-payer health care system. It was established with the Social Security Act of 1965 and it has been a burden on our country's elderly ever since.
Q. Are people satisfied with Medicare?
A. NO! When health care consumers were asked how much they trust health care players "to put your interests above their own," only 68 percent responded with "the Medicare program." Only 70 percent of Medicare recipients say they "always" get access to needed care.
Q. Are the elderly people enrolled in Medicare happy with their experience?
A. NO! Among those 65 or older, the people most likely to be enrolled in Medicare, only 80 percent rated Medicare favorably. Worse, only 62 percent of 65 and older felt that Medicare was "well run."
Q. What can I do to help stop this national nightmare?
A. We're glad you asked! We are putting together a list of Congressmen that are against socialized medicine. We suggest that you call, fax, email, write or show up to their office in person to show your support. We also have a list of townhall meetings where you can thank them, in person, for wanting to end Medicare. Let them know that you are tired of Medicare and the government should end the program. Our nation's elderly people should rely on the free market for all of their health care needs. Feel free to print out this page and hand it out at town halls. Let everyone know where Republicans stand on health care reform.

True Facts About Medicare

• Anyone that has ever used Medicare has died or will die.
• Medicare has perverse incentives to allow senior citizens to die -- the longer a senior lives, the less money the government can take with the Death Tax. In a free market seniors would be free to spend their life savings and retirement income on medical care.
• Medicare is used to bully companies -- because of the size of Medicare, the government can negotiate lower equipment and drug prices. This behavior reduces corporate profits and limits company bonuses.

[matt]

everyone dies

[jaesun]

Tricky, for these people to protest against Medicare (a gov program already in place and next to impossible to undo) I don't think their particular group are going to get very far.

And another thing, its the truely nutty groups out there that are going to ruin everything for those of us who really care and just want to be heard for once. Just like the 911 Truthers and groups like ACORN and Code Pink ruin it for the left.

At least the real people with real concerns aren't running around soup kitchens telling homeless people they will give them a shirt and a box lunch if they'll come protest something they don't understand just to increase turnout. Or organizing large groups of people, loaded into rented tour busses, armed with professionaly made signs,shirts,hats,banners,etc., and sent to districts that are not their own to protest against <whatever the agenda-o-tha-day might be>.

acorn..cough..acorn

[tricky]

Originally Posted by jaesun

Tricky, for these people to protest against Medicare (a gov program already in place and next to impossible to undo) I don't think their particular group are going to get very far.

And another thing, its the truely nutty groups out there that are going to ruin everything for those of us who really care and just want to be heard for once. Just like the 911 Truthers and groups like ACORN and Code Pink ruin it for the left.

At least the real people with real concerns aren't running around soup kitchens telling homeless people they will give them a shirt and a box lunch if they'll come protest something they don't understand just to increase turnout. Or organizing large groups of people, loaded into rented tour busses, armed with professionaly made signs,shirts,hats,banners,etc., and sent to districts that are not their own to protest against <whatever the agenda-o-tha-day might be>.

acorn..cough..acorn

jaesun,


it was merely a spoof to bitch about the geriatrics showing up at the town hall meeting bitching....as a liberal, i obviously am for medicare and even moreso a single payer system. this post is from some cynics bitching about said geriatrics...

Originally Posted by reddit.com

Don't get even, get ahead: Join your local Operation Eliminate Medicare protest and give Glenn Beck's geriatric whiners something to choke on.

[tricky]

things to do this weekend....

Originally Posted by dailykos

Go to a townhall meeting. In loud, outraged voice tell the audience that you've read the Obama healthcare plan, and on page six hundred forty seven it requires euthanizing stupid people. Try to gauge which audience members seem most concerned by your revelation.

[jaesun]

I know, I just hate how everyone thinks they need to use slippery tactics to get their point across. I (and I hope I'm not the only one) would like to see these debates done in an effective civil way. It irritates me when anyone is jumping up and down screaming and yelling. No matter if they agree with me or not. Thats why I don't watch reality TV like Housewives of <insert city here> or any of those other drama bitching crying fit-throwing chit-talking shows. I just can't stand it.

[Keith P]

Originally Posted by jaesun

I know, I just hate how everyone thinks they need to use slippery tactics to get their point across. I (and I hope I'm not the only one) would like to see these debates done in an effective civil way. It irritates me when anyone is jumping up and down screaming and yelling. No matter if they agree with me or not. Thats why I don't watch reality TV like Housewives of <insert city here> or any of those other drama bitching crying fit-throwing chit-talking shows. I just can't stand it.

You expect the mob to be roused by the incoherent jargon of talk radio hosts and cable outlet mouthpieces and expect them to act civil...

You really think its the American public thats genuinely concerned about this and not just finding something to rally against?

[jaesun]

Originally Posted by Keith P

You expect the mob to be roused by the incoherent jargon of talk radio hosts and cable outlet mouthpieces and expect them to act civil...

You really think its the American public thats genuinely concerned about this and not just finding something to rally against?

Do you think this is all pre organized and that no one is acting on their own willpower and thier own personal concerns about the future of thier own health and the care there of? Could it be that no one trusts the government and that has been hightened with the Bush and Obama admins stripping them of more and more rights at a maddening pace?

Do you think this is just a bunch of racists and frindge activists simply trying to find an outlet to "stick it" to the black man running the country? Or could it be real Americans that want a true solution that has been debated upon and properly analyzed for a long time to insure it is the best plan for everyone and not just a few. Maybe these people want a little input into how the HC reform will take place? Maybe they are upset about how this plan may increase the national deficit to levels that cannot ever be repaid? Maybe they feel HC benefits will be rationed like they are in the UK and Canada.

Maybe they are pissed to have thier voices and concerns dismissed as racist, nutjobs, brooks brothers wearing, swastika carrying, astroturf, disingenuous, fabricated mobs?

Do you think that all these people are just sheep following whatever they hear on the radio or see on TV? Do you think that maybe those supporting the dems version of HC from are falling for the same tactics? Those same tactic that have been used by the left to promot their agenda and dismiss any naysayers?

I think the American public involved in speaking against the HC bill were already pissed off. The talk radio hosts and mouthpieces you speak of are just riding the trend and trying to further agitate the situation.

Yes, I do think the American public IS genuinely concerned and they are NOT just trying to find something to protest against. Most of these people have never been politically motivated to do chit before this rapid reform attempt. They are upset that the bill is being rushed at a maddening rate to the point the Americna public is afraid they are being swindled somehow. (and finally knowing for a fact that no one ever reads these bills has been made the American public mistrust the gov even MORE)

If there is nothing to hide why are the politicians pushing for this version of HC reform trying to rush-rush-rush this through so fast? I mean look at all the BS rush-rush-rushed through with the stimulus bill (like californian field shrews living behind Pelosi's house) that have nothing to do with stimulating the economy at all.

People are pissed. People who normally sit back and keep to themselves are now being pushed to the point that they feel they need to do something. They aren't stupid. They can sense when something isn't right. They might have sensed it before and done nothing. But now they are feeling it stronger and stronger because now they feel a huge chunk of thier ability to choose the doctors, treatments, etc. for themselves is being stripped away. Ture or not!

Now the great community organizer is fighting against these communities organizing because now they aren't on his side. Its only a good thing when it works for him.