Posted on 08/12/2009 6:16:22 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
N.Y. Congressman: 'If Someone Thinks They're Going To Legislate By Mob Rule, They Don't Understand What It Means To Be A Democracy' As organized protesters mobilize to disrupt town meetings the question remains: will their fiery arguments prevent lawmakers from holding these forums?
Some legislators intend to keep listening to the masses, while refusing to get rattled.
President Barack Obama's health care reform plans are generating such anger and rhetoric that only the bold and brave politicians facing tough re-election campaigns like Pennsylvania's Arlen Spector or those who have their own plans to talk about -- like Congressman Anthony Weiner -- are holding town hall meetings.
"I don't think anyone has a concern about passionate people coming to meetings to talk about a legislative issue. I think the line gets drawn where one person thinks their right is to stop another person from asking a question," Rep. Weiner said.
Weiner has held a number of town hall meetings on health care. So far they have been respectful exchanges, like one Monday in Howard Beach. But one scheduled for Wednesday night in Fresh Meadows may not be. A group called "Tea Party 365" plans to turn out in force. And while their e-mail to supporters talks about the issue it also urges supporters to "bring cameras to capture the event" and post the videos.
"If someone thinks they're going to legislate by mob rule they don't understand that it means to be a democracy. Everyone gets their say but not everyone gets their way," Weiner said.
Lawmakers like Spector, Missouri Sen. Clair McKaskill and New Jersey Rep. Steve Rothman have had very tense town meetings. One reason may be a memo from Bob MacGuffie, a volunteer with the Freedom Works web site Tea Party Patriots, which advises demonstrators, telling them:
"You need to rock the boat early in the (congressman's) presentation. The goal is to rattle him."
Jeffrey Cool, the firefighter who was injured in the "Black Sunday" fire in the Bronx, doesn't want to protest. He wants to be reassured he'll have health care.
"I'm extremely worried. You know, I'm 42 years old and I'm in fear for my life. I survived a horrific accident and I'm still here and now I'm worried: am I going to be a horse put out to pasture?"
Congressman Weiner is one of the few New Yorkers ready to do battle. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's people said she has no plans to do health care forums because she has already laid out a full schedule of appearances at state fairs and other venues.
Others said they see no point because making themselves the focal point of protestors does nothing to advance the debate.
How far can they push it? I guess, as far as it needs to be. Let's ask the Founders.
We haven’t gone far enough until the scumbags start resigning.
Democracy and mobs go hand in hand....
Let me be the first to say we will push it all the way back up Obama’s arse, from which it came.
hmmm, I always thought that pure democracy was nothing more than mob rule anyway?
It took a new york congressman to say something this bloody ignorant, didn't it?
The question is how far are the dimoKKKRATS willing to go to push this so called health-care plan down our throats.
Reight. These “representatives” have it it too easy for too long. Let someone challenge them and they react like the spoiled rotten brats they really are.
Crybabies all.
Yes, and let's press the point home: if the "new york congressman" represented his constituents instead of his string-pullers and cash-and-favor givers, he'd see the marvel of a "representative republic;" he'd be upholding his oath of office; he'd have integrity; and, I guess, he'd be as rare as a dodo bird.
Interesting question.
A more valid one is “Just how far can the protesters be pushed?”
And I do think that is the purpose of this little civics exercise. To push the protesters into doing something the emperor can seize onto as the reason for declaring martial law.
"Others said they see no point because making themselves the focal point of protestors does nothing to advance the debate."
These idiots need to read about how our country was founded and its principles fought for and laid. Mass ignorance! Wow.
Let me tell you something, EEE. When this goes down and sprays egg all over O’s face, he’s going to lash out at the American people. Maybe not right away, but it’ll happen.
We’re not worthy of his greatness, and he’s going to make sure we all suffer for our foolishness. Or at least try to.
Ignorance on parade! LOL! And, of course, cognitive dissonance, the liberal hallmark.
A quote from a British newspaper circa 1775? ;-)
That's why we were supposed to be a Republic with inalienable individual rights. Something the mob isn't supposed to be able to take from individuals. Yet you think the "greater good" trumps the rights of the individual. You claim the right to enslave a minority to use their labor to provide the greater good to the mob with the most votes.
Why limit it to Noo Yawk? A good many others are just as stupid.
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