Posted on 08/10/2009 6:24:14 AM PDT by Constitution Day
U.S. Rep. G. K. Butterfield, D-N.C. was in Williamston, NC last week. The Martin County Chamber of Commerce had invited the congressman to lead a round table forum on how the Democrats’ proposed health care bill would impact small business owners and their employees. The event was scheduled to last two hours.
I was among the standing room only audience. Upon registering, attendees were asked to write down questions we’d like the congressman to try and answer. We soon learned only questions Butterfield’s staff approved, had any chance of being addressed. -snip- In his opening remarks, Butterfield admitted that his congressional district is the fourth poorest in the nation, with the highest unemployment in the state and a poverty level approaching 25 percent.
He blamed former President George W. Bush for most of the nation’s current woes, taking a page right out of the Obama playbook. It would seem that sooner or later this administration and the Democrats in Congress better start taking responsibility for their own actions. Health care and the climate bill are two examples.
The blame-Bush gig was a great campaign tactic, but if polls are any indication, this jargon is wearing thin. Voters want results- not a continuation of the blame game. According to a recent Rasmussen Poll, Republicans are now favored by 5 points on the generic ballot, and are favored over Democrats on eight of 10 of the nation’s most important issues confronting voters, including the economy.
Butterfield attempted to explain the intricacies of the health care bill, no easy task, picking up a bound copy in his left hand. Someone yelled out, “Have you read it all?” He smiled and said he had not but that he was familiar with most of the 1,018 pages. He said his aides have combed through it and can provide many of the details when called upon to do so. The audience reacted negatively. In the first five minutes of his talk, Butterfield was booed twice. -snip-
(Later)...
Suddenly two Martin County Deputies entered the room and stood at the front. Perhaps the chamber or Butterfield felt threatened by what I viewed as a vigorous exercise in freedom of speech. Interestingly, I asked one of the deputies afterwards why he was asked to enter and stand at the front. He replied, “I really don’t know. All I saw and heard were people exercising their first amendment rights to free speech and assembly. I just did what I was told.”
Did what I was told. It seems that’s what our government wants--just do what we are told. Well, a free government is one that values and encourages dissent and debate. There was little of that on this day.
I encourage you to read the full column at the following blog, which I have no connection with:
A Conservative Viewpoint: Butterfield Exits Early From Health Forum
Another account (by that blog's owner) is here:
G.K. Butterfield Spoke To Small Business Owners At Williamston Chamber
NC ping, please...
Shut UP! You are Un-American. /s
Frankly, I expect this to be the forum taken by many of the cowardly Dems afraid to address the DeathCare issue. I’ve read of at least one who wants his constituents to schedule appointments with him in his office - obviously to avoid having a crowd.
These people are cowards at their core and we need to not allow their “hired hands” (e,g, police, sheriff’s deputies) to intimidate us. They may have guns and tasers, but there are MORE of us. If we force them to use force to deny us our 1st Amendment rights, we expose them for the cowards they are and for being unwilling to hear from the people who own the government and provide them with employment.
In addition, there are at least 2 articles that I have seen with Obama administration sock puppets encouraging DeathCare supporters to use violence against the “protesters”. This is not America, this is America in revolt.
Should I turn myself in for posting this?
Bttt, read after library trip.
You did post, stupidly.
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.” – Barack Obama (Wall Street Journal)
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/06/14/obama-if-they-bring-a-knife-to-the-fight-we-bring-a-gun/
The opposition is growing by the hour.
:)
Oh yes. I am loving it.
Ah well.
I may go down or be silenced, but it won’t be without a fight.
BUMP!
Thank you! This was an excellent article, IMO.
(and no, I am not Mr. Steinburg. LOL)
ping
Good article. As I said over on the NC forum, the Democrats don’t want any debate. They just want everyone to nod and comply.
Sorry, guys, but this isn’t Cuba, YET!
These assholes only represent the Non Taxpayers.
The only people who want this are the very people who do not pay into the Federal Tax system.
How is it that their voice is louder than ours?
How is it that the rest of us are going to be forced to take the government plan, which in it various mandates will result in death by eugenics.
This piece of crap is more aptly call Eugenicare.
These guys are only used to seeing the ones that voted for them.
These guys are used to seeing the Non Taxpayer, who each year, has no obligation to the Federal system and many times they actually get a check back.
That check comes from the rest of us who pay into the system each year.
The fact is, however, they represent all constituents in their district and since their vote affects all Americans by extension they represent all of America.
Keep the heat on them and let them know they have gone to far.
When in the course of human events.....
EXACTLY!
"In his opening remarks, Butterfield admitted that his congressional district is the fourth poorest in the nation, with the highest unemployment in the state and a poverty level approaching 25 percent."I am reminded of Benjamin Franklin's quote on democracy:
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.