SI town hall pounds prez over health

nypost.com ^ | Oct. 7, 2009 | JENNIFER FERMINO and CARL CAMPANILE

[Free ThinkerNY]

It was standing room only at a Staten Island town-hall meeting on health care last night, when close to 1,000 participants launched a raucous, ranting assault on President Obama's reform plan.

Hundreds more were turned away from an auditorium that couldn't accommodate the crush that showed up for the meeting, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Mike McMahon.

McMahon, a moderate who represents the city's most conservative district, fielded a barrage of questions on everything from tort reform to the so-called health-care public option.

"We don't have any money to spend on anything, not health care," said Barbara Paolucci, 63, of Dongan Hills, to roars of approval.

"You're spending money we don't have. China owns us. Dubai owns us."

Although Obama has insisted his plan will cut costs in the long run, Staten Island critics were unconvinced.

One of the biggest bursts of applause came when a participant thundered, "Anyone who believes their taxes aren't going to be raised believes in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny."

The line to speak stretched to the door in the 918-capacity auditorium at the Michael J. Petrides school. Speakers were given two minutes; many went over.

[teeman8r]

listen to what the people had to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdzspfkujHQ

[Aroostook25]

Check out this link at http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/archives/FindingAids/fa0012.htm

Staten Island: Vote Yes, Inc. was formed in January 1990. Its initial purpose was to secure a "yes" vote for the November 1990 referendum that allowed for the creation of a Charter Commission to study secession. After the referendum's successful passage, Vote Yes changed its charter in order to remain involved in the issue during the Charter Commission's study of secession. In August, 1993, Vote Yes endorsed secession for Staten Island and promoted a "Yes" vote for the November 1993 referendum on secession from New York City. The organizational records contained in the collection are incomplete, but effectively document the mission of the organization. The collection also contains an extensive clippings file on issues related to the secession movement on Staten Island during the 1990's.