Editor’s Pick
AUGUST 26, 2009 11:15PM
I Attempted to Attend Rush Holt's (D-NJ) Townhall
So I just came back from Rep. Rush Holt's (D-NJ) townhall. I drove an hour and a half to get there, got there an hour earlier, and all to no avail. They only let 250 people in so I spent 3.5 hrs outside talking to people who oppose reform.
Also Holt's (supposed) Republican opposition was there and he set up a microphone outside which let people talk and address the crowd. This resulted in boos or cheers depending on what each person had to say. I give the guy credit for letting everyone be heard and say their piece.
I also walked up and down the line (before they closed up entry) talking to people with anti-reform signs and then talking within the crowd when the open mic started.
I purposely engaged the anti-reform crowd and tried to listen carefully to their views while countering any of their incorrect sentiments with actual facts from the bill.
I've come to the conclusion that we are not going to change each others' minds so we must agree to disagree.
It appears that you either are for or against the current reform AND, even if that reform has some things you agree to, you are going to complain about all the bill contains. If you are against it, no matter the facts I present you, you are apparently going to believe what you want about how HR3200 will play out and nothing will change your mind.
Since the Dems are control they just need to get their act together and push through a through reform package.
It has also become apparent that [some] Americans are also of questionable intelligence...or perhaps lacking in intellectual curiosity.
I am still trying to decide if I'm going to attend anymore townhalls. If I do I might just stick with the folks with the pro-healthcare reform signs instead of trying to engage the anti-reform types.
It was interesting...but very saddening in a way. I spent the last 3o minutes with a group shilling for the LaRouche PAC. I was trying to get them to explain to me why they thought having Obama on a poster with Hilter was a good idea. I tried to tell them it was undermining their message, that most would people simple discount them for the image, and that it was making them look insane but, again, to no avail.
Oh well...I'm taking a shower and I'm going to bed.
beautiful kisses
Siobhan
New Jersey
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Tinkerertink69
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Comments
"It has also become apparent that [some] Americans are also of questionable intelligence...or perhaps lacking in intellectual curiosity"
That's a bit 0f unvarnished truth which is worrisome in the extreme. A fairly large chunk of the US electorate is either incapable of or uninterested in being informed. That'a bad thng to put it mildly, and doesn't speak well for the direction this country is going.
Next time check for opposing thumbs...I've heard rumors......
I will give you credit, my sistah.....I would have blown a gasket trying to engage in intelligent conversation with the opposition. Kudos for staying above the fray. I'll also co-sign your assessment that the Dems need to get their act together. Unfortunately, those so-called blue dog Dems are getting PAID by the health care industry, so no chance of those losers getting on board. I agree with Zuma....this has EP written all over it. Rated!
@ Zuma: Yay! A Zuma pick is better than an EC.
@ Nanatehay: And that unvarnished truth is why I am so sad. Last night I told my friends that I didn’t know if I was angry or disheartened. The general consensus was that I was completely disheartened by the experience. It most definitely does NOT speak well for the direction of the country.
@ Paul: Well it was an experience in the wild that I’m not sure I want to repeat LOL.
@ One: Yeah, FireDogLake and OpenLeft has a chart that directly links how many Dems are owned by the industry…a sad state of affairs.
@ Ric: That’s what I don’t understand most of all…there was person there who had to get a second mortgage on his house to afford a necessary surgery…and he doesn’t want reform. He stated that it was a choice he made to get the care he needed…completely missing the point that it was a choice he SHOULDN’T HAVE TO MAKE! I won’t go so far as to say stupid…but the overwhelming lack of intellectual curiosity and unwillingness to understand am other viewpoints is truly ridiculous.
We are reeling here in Iowa with the sound bites coming out of the town hall meetings. I can't wait for the recess to be over.
I went to one recently, too, and had a better experience. The LaRouchies were late to ours, but on my way out, I did tell them, "Awww, it's just not a rally without you guys."
I think the best approach to to talk to reasonable people. I think most people want something done, but they don't know what. Plus they are very suspicious of government, even here in Blue Washington. Keep up the good fight!