Posted on 08/11/2009 7:14:58 AM PDT by Constitution Day
U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield is holding a town hall meeting Tuesday evening in Rocky Mount for some of the same reasons dozens of other Democratic lawmakers have opted against holding public forums during the congressional recess.
“Never before has there been this sort of cry for people’s opinions to be heard,” Butterfield press secretary Ken Willis said. “And the congressman just feels like there is so much disinformation out there, he wants to address the voters directly.”
Attempting to deflate what Democrats are calling “generated outrage” over plans to overhaul the U.S. health care system, most North Carolina members of Congress are not hosting town hall meetings this month.
Butterfield, D-1st District, is the state’s only Democratic congressman so far to announce plans for any such public meeting.
In recent weeks, some lawmakers nationwide have been embarrassed by angry protestors disrupting community meetings by shouting and chanting against President Barack Obama’s proposal to reform health care, and last week U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, D-13th District, received at least one death threat over the issue.
Miller and other lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-2nd District, are opting instead for one-on-one meetings with voters and phone conversations.
Butterfield, though, after many years as an N.C. Superior Court judge, said he feels like he can keep control of a public meeting. The congressman isn’t expecting any problems, Willis said.
“It is clear that people want their opinions heard,” Butterfield said. “I want to help people to understand why these changes are needed and exactly how they would benefit.”
The health care reform-focused town hall meeting will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Parker Middle School. The public is invited to attend, Willis said.
After meeting with several constituents and touring a few area medical facilities last week, Butterfield said people seem to have a great number of questions about the reform proposals. He said he wanted an opportunity to counter the misinformation circulating about the legislation.
Mass e-mails have spread through the Internet in recent weeks warning readers that “Obamacare” would seek to euthanize the elderly, block people from choosing providers and create government organizations to ration care, among other statements.
Much of the more heated debate over health care reform has centered on whether or not the government should offer a tax-subsidized public option to compete with private insurers and to ensure everyone is covered. Many opponents of the plan support free-market health care instead of what they fear would be too much government involvement in the industry.
Despite Obama’s efforts to calm fears of a sweeping government takeover of health care, the debate has at times boiled over into an all-out shouting match and has led to violence at a few town hall meetings nationwide.
Butterfield said he won’t stand for any of that. He would like to answer questions and have a civil conversation, he said.
“Health care reform is built around the central idea that we must stabilize costs for the middle class without sacrificing quality or choices,” Butterfield said. “The health care industry must be held accountable for delivering better value.”
Butterfield will give a brief overview of health care reform before opening the floor to questions, Willis said.
“We think people have questions, and the congressman wants to answer them,” Willis said. “We’re not expecting any trouble.”
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (Dem, NC-1) Exits Early From Health Forum [Williamston, NC]My Congresscritter must be feeling the heat!
I note that he is holding this in a school that's in one of the worst neighborhoods in Rocky Mount. That will not deter me from attending and speaking. I will not be silenced or intimidated!
Please ping ASAP!
ping
“Health care reform is built around the central idea that we must stabilize costs for the middle class without sacrificing quality or choices,” Butterfield said. “The health care industry must be held accountable for delivering better value.”
Then I take it he will be voting against the current bills?
Rep. G.K. Butterfield (Dem, NC-1) Exits Early From Health Forum [Williamston, NC]
Heh. Good catch. I wouldn’t hold my breath, though.
Thank you for posting, and for going to the meeting. The lies being spread by the politicians in these meetings are just unfathomable. They need to understand that we are not stupid and we will not put up with their crap.
You are welcome, but I consider it my duty as an American citizen.
The lies are just unreal.
It’s as if we are being told down is up, black is white and 2+2=5, and are being expected to believe it.
“And tell the SEIU guys to keep the axehandles behind their backs when the cameras are running, don’t wave them over their heads. That’ll come later.
Hey, Paco, not like that! Fer godsakes, will someone translate for the beaners? Sotomayer, will you translate en Espanol for those guys? Waddaya mean you can’t! Wise Latina my ass ...”
there is no healthcare reform...its just politicians getting a bigger piece of the action = more money....we will be hitting the 12 trillion mark soon....in seconds it takes us back to 300 bc in dollars it is killing the country..” I WANT MY MONEY BACK”
My instinct would be to LISTEN and not to correct misconceptions. The People want to vent. This is largely about emotions. Let them speak. Once they see they will get their turn, they will will stop shouting each other down. Tell them you will stay for as long as it takes. Let them know they will all have a chance to speak and to BE HEARD by you and by each other.
I had never heard of Butterfield until the first Wall Street bailout bill came up for a vote, and then I sent two e-mails and a phone call to make sure that I was opposed to it. Knowing he was a Dem I thought it was going to be an uphill battle, but I give him credit: He voted against it.
Where is Parker Middle? Is that the one down off of Atlantic Avenue on the Edgecombe side?
I actually don’t think he is all that bad, as Democrats go. You are right, he voted against that one.
Yes, Parker Middle is right off Atlantic. It’s on E. Virginia Street.
Thanks! Check your FRmail...
So what time will you be eating at Parker’s BBQ?
Man, it’s just too hot for ‘cue today.
A nice BLT with some sweet tea is more my speed tonight.
Just wait a few hours, a front is moving through. It’s 65 degrees up in Boone right now. There temp has dropped 14 degrees in the past 40 minutes here in Gboro.
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.