Rick Larsen: "I've Got Facts On My Side, You've Got Glenn Beck"

Rick Larsen: "I've Got Facts On My Side, You've Got Glenn Beck"

A Democratic lawmaker, faced with a batty question at a town hall Wednesday, derided conservative pundit Glenn Beck for propagating lies about health care legislation.

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) was asked, "Why are all Americans being forced into a government-run health care and insurance plan when only 46 million out of 312 million are uninsured?" The questioner went on to suggest that most people without insurance could get it without government assistance and concluded, "I'd be willing for the government to buy insurance policies for the 8.2 million chronically uninsured, but the other 37.8 million are not the responsibility of the American citizens and ... and I am unwilling to throw my present health care away for them."

Larsen responded: "With regards to the first comment about being forced to buy health care, I'll say it again... The bill does not force anybody to buy health care ... The bill does not force people to change their health care plan. If you're in a plan, you will not be forced into the public option. You will not be forced into the health insurance exchange. Now folks will say that's not true, but I've got facts on my side and you've got Glenn Beck on your side. It's just not going to play out that way."

Larsen had moved the town hall to a minor league baseball stadium because of the expected turnout.

Members of the audience laughed and applauded after Larsen response to the question. But as unfounded rumors about so-called "death panels" have managed to actually affect legislation in the Senate, it's clear that sometimes having the facts on your side isn't enough.

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