Posted on 08/04/2009 5:45:03 PM PDT by Indy Pendance
For the second day in a row, Congressman Steve Kagen asked Wisconsinites for their opinions about the health care reform bill.
Monday night the Congressman heard an earful from constituents attending his Green Bay listening session. Several hundred people packed the Brown County Central Library to speak out against the bill, and another hundred or so were kept out of the meeting because there simply wasn't enough room.
Tuesday the Congressman took the listening session south to Appleton to hear what people in the Fox Valley think about the bill.
"You said this is a listening session, now listen," one speaker said to cheers.
A mostly hostile crowd of 250 filled a room at the Thompson Community Center to express their displeasure with the health care reform bill, and another 50-plus who were locked out because of fire codes.
With several Appleton police officers present to help keep the peace after Monday's heated Green Bay meeting, constituents opened up about why they're against the present health care reform bill.
"I think you can extend existing programs without tampering with mine," one said. "I want the federal government to leave their hands off my health insurance and my body."
"We couldn't figure out the Cash for Clunkers program," another said. "The suggestion is being offered that in our infinite wisdom the United States Congress knows exactly what health care is going to cost in the next ten years? They're going to control it. Does anyone in this room really believe that? I don't."
But the talk wasn't all against the bill. One woman shared her story of the loss of her job and the loss of her health insurance. She believes Congress can't just sit still, and that action is needed to help people like her.
"It might not be a perfect bill, there might be things wrong with it, but it's some place to start," she said.
Congressman Kagen told the crowd he's on their side and understands their hesitation but says now is the time to act.
"There's a great deal of misinformation out there, and there just isn't enough time to focus on the misinformation so I'm focusing on the positive," he told them.
He also told the group their opinions weren't falling on deaf ears. He said he'll take their views to Washington, where he hopes to come up with a plan that makes everyone happy.
"I will vote for the best interests of my constituents. I'll do nothing that will harm our economy, not at this particular time. I think there's a better way of doing things, and I think by working together across party lines I'll find a way to do that," Kagen said.
It's a task those who came Tuesday hope the Congressman can accomplish with their best interests in mind.
"You just remember you're representing the people of the 8th District," one speaker told him. "You're not representing Mr. Obama, you're not representing Harry Reid, you're not representing Nancy Pelosi. You're representing these people here."
For the more than 50 people shut out of the meeting because the room couldn't accommodate everyone, many still have more questions than answers.
"I was hoping to hear what the Congressman had to say today and perhaps offer some suggestions as to what they might include" in the bill," Vern Romenesko from Grand Chute said.
Knowing there are many more opinions on the health care reform bill, Congressman Kagen hopes to hold additional listening sessions in larger venues so no one's opinion is left out.
I find that spectaclarly irrelevant. Where’s the home of the Chicago Mob?
” Where’s the home of the Chicago Mob? “
Washington, DC??
(I think I heard something about them moving their headquarters sometime in January - the 20th??)
Amen! Not to mention harming our health and our very lives!
The man interviewed on camera, Sidney Vineberg, was rabbi of a Green Bay synagogue years back. May still be.
It’s the Zionists and Neocons behind the conspiracy!!!!
/moonbattery
Irrelevant? Why? The JBS are the biggest group of patriots in the country! Serves Kagen right for going in to the belly of the beast! JBS rocks! I’m sure these people in Appleton were able to give him an earful.
Exactly, exactly, exactly.
Congressman Kagen told the crowd he's on their side and understands their hesitation but says now is the time to act.
Translation: Screw you, the fix is in.
If we weren’t having an effect, it would have been passed weeks ago. Keep pushing.
Answering charges that the response was set up in Green Bay and Appleton.
Piss off lady. Ask Kagen to pay for your health insurance, not the rest of the taxpayers.
Keep pushing is right, we’ll kill this congress and their programs, whatever it takes. I have my Beretta, this is the intent of the 2nd amendment, our founding fathers were so visionary. See my tag.....
While she has a temporarily unpleasant situation, seniors will pay for the mistakes in this bill with their lives.
Our founders must be spinning in their graves.
You know, I get so frustrated with that from some of these people. Bad news health-wise doesn’t mean the end of the world - there are resources out there that might get one through a medical crisis.
I’m not denying that some cases do not go well. But I was blessed to receive financial assistance through the community care program of the hospital that removed my thyroid for cancer. This was after I graduated from school (at the ripe ol’ age of 50) and still didn’t have a job or insurance.
For every story of fear, there are others like mine that shows our system works well enough as it is, and isn’t nearly as bad as the Democrats make it out to be. I can’t even imagine what I would have had to go through if this had happen under their socialized plans and at what cost to everyone else.
Yeah and how about Tim Bishop in Long Island. They hate his guts.
Cost? Cost? Who gives a damn about the cost when it buys you the votes of 12 million, or however many, illegal aliens. This has got nothing to do with the wellbeing and healthcare of Americans. It has everything to do with buying more power.
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