Health Care Reform Supporters Outnumber Detractors In Florida Town Hall

Health care reform proponents filled a town hall in Delray Beach, FL today to speak with Reps. Alcee Hastings and Robert Wexler, whose districts both include areas of Palm Beach County. People started arriving hours before the doors opened, holding signs with a range of messages.

The proceedings remained relatively cordial inside, due in part to organizer Tony Fransetta who read the town hall rules to start things off. The Sun Sentinel reported Fransetta's creative tactics.

Everything goes on index cards. "It's our position that all questions will be answered," Fransetta said. "If we have 50 questions turned in I think we can get through them all."

"No one will be allowed to jump up from the floor and start advocating or speaking on any position."

Anyone who violates that rule will get two warnings. At the third warning, the person will be removed from the room.

Both Hastings and Wexler support a public option and, for the most part, so did the packed audience at the South County Civic Center. However, the over 500 sign-wielding protesters outside were evenly split on the issue.

Citizen reporter Stephen Malagodi captured the scene.

• • • • • • • Supporters of health care reform outside the Delray Beach town hall featuring U.S. Reps. Alcee Hastings and Robert Wexler.

 

 

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Comments

[Pammy2]

I love how the headline says that supporters outnumber protesters, but the first picture is of protesters. WTF, HuffPo???

[mitsie]

Good work guys, and an excellent way to control the crowd, I like it. Pass it on to other Dems holding townhalls. Next everyone needs to participate by going to a townhall near you, and attending the march in Washington in Sept. Pass on the word.

[justobserve]

The best sign: 'public option = the only option"

[noneIn2008]

Good photo showing the support on health care. Did you read the main sign on your post?
I also find it interesting to compare the message and number of those carrying pre-printed full color posters vs those carrying hand made. What do you think those full color printed posters cost? Who is paying for those posters?

[mitsie]

Who do you think made the professional signs for the protestors at the townhalls, the lobby companies of course. Don't you think both sides have some people backing them that can pay for the signs. I would rather the money go for this, then into the congresses back pockets.

[layman]

Corporate media manipulate the truth, spread lies.

[AlDavidson]

Love my Canadian socialized Medicare, have never experienced a problem, great doctors, and yes I get to choose my doctor, and no the Government has never stood between me and my doctor. I have 3 walk in clinics with in walking distance from my home and emergency's are taken immediately, please don't believe the BS about our system, single payer should be the only option, if the media were to portray single payer truthfully I believe you would have it by now. Pulling for you up here in Canada.

[gmlaster]

Bless you!

[buckeyedave]

Too bad your system is imploding and will need serious reform as it is unsustainable as is. This according to the president of the Canadian health ministry.

[vjlawn66]

Atta boy! Keep spreading that fear.

[iheardthisbefore]

You are a liar.
Please NAME this so called "PRESIDENT" of the Canadian Health Ministry
and WHEN did he/she say this?

[Waltfl]

The Canadian State is going to be debt-free in six years. What about us?

[mitsie]

And you don't think that the medical insurance system, and for profit hospitals are not imploding? Here, our only hospital in the country is going to stop providing maternity services, because " it's not profitable enough, not sustainable" !!!!!!! Profits ahead of the needs of the poor and low middle income people, who BTW don't have transportation to go out of the county or state. That's our current system.

[FdeBear]

Keep the truth coming! Tell your friends. We really appreciate it.

[mitsie]

Get your friends and relatives to email the MSM with that info. Maybe hundreds of emails and letters will finally get reported by the MSM.

[bluto392]

At this point, we have to win this debate or every future piece of legislation will be an excuse for increasingly violent gun toting stupids to intimidate us into backing down.

Remember, we still have to cap and trade through, education reform, possibly another stimulus...

[Level7]

Good point.

[Waltfl]

We have the White House, a 77% support for public option, filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, and a solid majority in the house. If Democrats can't pass this now, and let a handfull of gun-toting whackos bully them into submission, they'll not be able to pass anything.

[johnr49]

According to Obamalicious:

"It's easy to get supporters when you pay them $15/hr."

Notice that's not even a question, it's a statement - presumably he's speaking from personal experience!

[ohiomark]

Not only is it a statement, it's a fact.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/08/obama-healthcare-reform.html

Many of them get bus rides to the town halls too.

[mitsie]

Wait a freaking minute, you posted an article about a message on Craigslist? LOL There are so many scams on that website, that you have to double check everything. There is probably someone sitting in a one room apartment, collecting money from a PO box, and then the participants never get paid.

Why would anyone believe something on Criagslist?

[mitsie]

And according to Bushscaret­hehellouto­fyou tatics, we can be lied to about wars, be lied to about the recount in Fl, be lied to about a terrorist threat the weekend before the 2004 election. Be lied to about the wiretaps on Americans, etc etc etc. I could give a rats bottom about paying everyone, but I do give a rats bottom about the lobbyests paying old people $15 per hour to stand in line for them. So get off your high horse. It happens on both sides, but the lieing is worse on yours.

[Patriot86]

Your comment is so full of vindictiveness and hate...why do you hate your country?

[northstar11]

stop what you are doing

go read larry flynts column on the left

[plages]

Just wondering if the Health Care plan has a paragraph in it, which mentally politically handicapped persons can seek assistance?

[ohiomark]

So, the MSM finally finds a town hall meeting with more "supporters" than opponents, so they make a huge deal of it.

Even a blind squirrel..­..........­.....

[civilbehavior]

Ohio,

Having been there today and having lived here for the past 6 years I can tell you that this was not a blind squirrel moment.

People are coming to realize that the "obomacare­/socialism­" argument is a ruse.

Even the dumb know that we cannot allow the cost of health care run by the insurance companies to continue.

Why? Because they are part of the group whose care is most at risk.

[ohiomark]

..........­........an­d everyone knows, except statists, that putting the government in charge of health care will make thing much worse.

Government can't even run a $3 billion "cash for clunkers" program. Taking taxpayer money and giving it to other people to buy a car IS socialism. They aren't even reimbursing the dealerships in a timely fashion.

I don't trust them with my health care.

[mcnairbo]

CZARS =TYRANNY? The first time I ever heard the word czar associated with a presidential appointee was when Ronald Reagan appointed William Bennett his education czar and somebody else his drug czar.

[civilbehavior]

This area is Wexler's district which is heavily Jewish. Thus the "israel" representation.

Of course as one of my doctor friends said, he went to a bar mitzvah, what does that have to do with health care.

There were about 1000-1500 people total who showed. 500 inside in the a/c and the rest outside in the 92 degree heat and humidity.

There were some heated debates but only one complaint was lodged from what I heard.

Being a single payer advocate there is too much concession by demonstrators to the "public option". It's time to stand tall and really push for single payer. Stop compromising with the lobbyists. Let them know where you stand.

I also talked to many people who are fed up with the wishy washy watered down policy being debated and are planning on leaving the Democratic Party for the Independent Party particularly if this law turns out to be sham.

[northstar11]

"""""obama care will cost an arm and a leg""""

insurance companies will rip out your heart

[civilbehavior]

excellent.­..........­...love it.

Progressives need to really start pushing on the argument that its about the money that's making the laws and its not for the "people".

[fumes]

the crowd does not appear filled with ''A'' and ''B'' students why??

[gmlaster]

Because "D" & "F" students are much more likely to let you tell them what to think.