McCain Evicts Angry Woman From Town Hall

PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain met with an angry crowd at a town-hall meeting about health care reform Wednesday, sometimes having to fight to talk and telling one woman who wouldn't stop yelling that she had to leave.

The Arizona senator hadn't yet opened up the meeting at McCain's central Phoenix church to questions when one audience member continuously yelled over him.

"You're going to have to stop or you're going to have to leave," McCain told the woman. When security guards approached to escort her out, he told her "Goodbye, see ya" to a round of applause.

After McCain opened it up to questioning, one man angrily pointed at him and asked the senator why he deserves a better health care plan than him.

"I'm trying to get it for you," McCain told him. "We'll do it for you. We'll make it affordable and available to you."

Other audience members in the crowd of 2,000 told McCain about their medical problems, such as HIV and multiple sclerosis.

McCain urged them he would fight for health care reform but reiterated his opposition to President Barack Obama's plan to create a government option to compete with private insurers, arguing that it would be the eventual end of private insurers in the U.S.

Obama and most Democrats say a government option would serve to balance the power of private insurers. But insurance companies see it as a step toward a government takeover, and many business groups agree.

When McCain was trying to answer questions from reporters after the town hall, one audience member yelled at him that he gets hundreds of thousands of dollars from insurance companies every year.

In a voice of feigned surprise, McCain said "Really? I didn't know that."

"There's more interest and involvement in this issue than I've ever seen in many years on a domestic issue," McCain said afterward. "There's obviously strong feeling and emotions on this issue and I think the town-hall meetings are a very important way to get people's viewpoints and allow them to deal directly with their elected representative."

The Democratic plan has repeatedly run into problems at such meetings. Throughout August, unruly opponents have tried to shout down lawmakers at local town hall meetings.

McCain also spoke against the proposal at a much more subdued town-hall meeting Tuesday in the retirement community of Sun City.

McCain canceled a Friday trip to Flagstaff so he can attend services for longtime colleague Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died Tuesday night.

Comments

[PlanetSpinz]

Medicare and Medicaid include insurance companies as HMOs, which manage the insurance for patients. What probably makes the most sense is to increase the ability of working class Americans to be part of Medicaid, by increasing the income limits and the amount a person can have in the bank - currently if you have more than $10,000 in the bank you are kicked off of Medicaid, even if you have no other options. You can't even purchase Medicaid. There are lots of other options but both parties are stuck in their what plan will get them elected mindset. The last thing we need is more corporate welfare.

It sure would have been good to know what that woman was screaming about before McCain kicked her out.

[riverman0501]

I have been working as a clinical social worker treating clients in poverty for the better part of 17 years. Little did my clients know, I was in poverty as well, and even, for a time, I went to work as a clinical family psychotherapist from my tent in the woods.

I am one of many in poverty in the social work profession since Idaho began to privatize social services in about 1988. By 1995 they had set up private employers and agencies that pay social workers and non social workers as contractors for limited functions keeping us on site unpaid at their disposal as slaves, answering phones, providing supervision, going to meetings, furnishing office and travel to clients homes at our own expense. All state and federal advocates ignore complaints.

Even the National Association of Social Workers turns their back to the poverty of their own professionals. Yet they throw their noses in the air and as they walk across the bodies of their fallen colleagues without shame, guilt or even a second thought.

I have worked many 40 hour weeks repeatedly and been paid for as little as 10 hours of work. I furnished my offices on my dime. I paid thousands for auto and gas expenses. I was considered an employee and subject to the same rules as any paid employee, but I was also on contract and ”only a contract worker” with no rights.

Mark Rist, MSW, LCSW
Idaho Liscense LCSW24567

[Sasha Pave]

I'm glad to see some sensibility come to these meetings.

[Southrnbelle]

OK, let me get this straight.

McCain is a Republican, ergo, he is AGAINST Health Care Reform because not one Republican Senator will be voting for Health Care Reform.

This angry woman - she is angry because she is PRO Health Care Reform??? And he throws he out????

It's Legal for Right-Wing Nut Jobs to bring loaded automatic weapons to Town Hall Meetings and John McCain, in his Republican, 1st Ammendment Right "Evicts Angry Woman From Town Hall" for speaking her mind and expressing her Constitutionally Protected views as an American citizen??????

McCain wants to keep the Status Quo! Who was this crowd angry at? The Democrats or the Republicans? And if they're angry at the Republicans - What happened to all that "GRASS ROOTS" B.S. Fox Noise has been shoveling for the last months?????

Can't wait to see the spin on this one.

[Darr247]

> It's Legal for Right-Wing Nut Jobs to bring loaded automatic weapons to Town Hall Meetings

What are you blathering on about?

It's illegal for anyone except the police, military and federally licensed firearms dealers to even possess automatic firearms, let alone carry one in public (concealed or otherwise). When you hear news readers say anyone that is NOT the police/military/gun dealer was carrying an automatic weapon and that factoid's not also accompanied by the statement that they were arrested for it, then those news readers are as misinformed as you appear to be on the subject. Automatic weapon possession by civilians was made illegal in the USA about 3 years before marijuana was made illegal at the federal level (which occurred in 1937).

[Lalita Amos]

You're right about the weapon. I'm a gun toting liberal (which leaves some of my conservative...and liberal friends bleeding from the ears). The guy I think she was talking about had the same gun I do: An AR-15 (only mine is configured for a left-hander...think ejection ports et al.) I can see how she could get confused: the differences between my AR and an M-1 are minimal, as you know. Most people who've never shot a weapon could miss it.

On the other side, rather than jabbing at the uninitiated, I offer this: consider sending them to the gun range. Things always seem different when they squeeze off a few rounds. Either their views soften or they understand why when they harden them.

Just saying...

[bobh]

Such a brave man, our McCain, throwing a woman out. But did he have the guts to denounce the Arizona pastor who called for Obama's death, or the gun-toting Teabaggers who showed up outside the Phoenix Town Hall?

[BlueDingoDog]

worth repeating

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/30/773243/-Top-10-Signs-You-Might-Not-Be-A-Libertarian

[kbella]

Great article!

[research]

good one!

[Leslib]

That was hysterical AND it really hit home for me since my brother suddenly and conveniently became a libertarian when the two most viable candidates for the Democratic nomination were a woman and a man of color. He's watching Fox "News" now, too. I didn't think to check behind his house for the empty pod when I visited, but that may be my next move.

[Artemis34]

"it would be the eventual end of private insurers in the U.S." What nonsense!

Existing US government programs did not destroy private insurance and neither will the currently proposed government option.

Also, national health care in other countries HAS NOT spelled the end of private companies.

Private share of spending (OECD Health Data as of 2004):

US 55%
Canada 30%
France 24%
UK 17%

The point is the private sector is NOT ZERO in any of these countries.

True, the private insurance companies will have to adapt or die, which they don't want.

True, they may lose some profit margin and some market share, which they don't want.

False, this will be the end of private companies! It has not been the case in US history, nor has it happened elsewhere.

There is not evidence for this FEAR whatsoever.

http://askville.amazon.com/lot-depends-tax-money/AnswerDetails.do?requestId=7365405&responseId=7401022

[research]

Sweden 3% private

http://www.swedishhealthcare.se/swedenshealthcaresystem.html

[gd h]

Veterans health care. Military health care (in a modernized, professional military). Government health care for congress and the executive branch. And private insurance companies for the rest of us. With a profit-based (incentivized based on--not rationing, but "managed utilization" --that's rationing, by the way) bureaucrat "in between" you and your doctor. A well paid doctor ordering services, that's mri's, labwork of all sorts, and specialists-- for the VA clients, and only a hallway between them and their doctor, no bureaucrat). I can't imagine a bureaucrat getting in McCain's way on his way to the doc. Nor the president, VP, SecState, etc., etc. So--would the bureaucrats be reserved for just republicans? Is that why they're coming all unglued? Maybe it's a good idea.

So if "privatization" and "free markets" are the best--why aren't we using them for our veterans? We should DEMAND that the VA be privatized. That Medicare be privatized. That Medicaid be privatized. And that all the state systems (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Services--AHCCS, that's "access" in Arizona, and all the others...) be privatized. Then you'd hear some real screaming in these meetings. Make a sign: More profit to the bureaucrat in private health care.

Not a catchy bumper sticker in there, I'm afraid. How about "privatize the VA"? Privatize Medicare? Come on, I can't do this all by myself.

[gd h]

continued.­.."private insurance for veterans". "for-profit insurance for senior citizens".­..privatiz­e the president's insurance. I think "private insurance for veterans" and Privatize Military Hospitals works the best. I mean, we want the best for the troops? "Support the Troops: MANDATE Private, for-profit, insurance!!!" Come on, get out the magic markers and cardboard. Let's get out there!! Mandated Private Insurance for the troops!!

[Lalita Amos]

Artemis34 said:
photo

"it would be the eventual end of private insurers in the U.S." What nonsense!

Existing US government programs did.

_____
The advent of the US Postal Service didn't do away with FedEx or UPS, though the economic downturn and rise in web data transmittal caused them to raise prices and limit service. Still, the USPS is one of the best deals in town.

[unrepresented]

As many progressiv­es/sociali­sts/humani­sts and plainly put, any person who has seriously thought this through (esp. where it concerns your children, their children, your friends, neighbors and anyone who might possibly be in need of financial assistance from YOU), some things just should not be for-profit! Healthcare and health insurance are just examples of what should not be for-profit. There's a Life/Death inevitability built-in there that should never have to be considered in the service of profit. And for those who are so concerned about the welfare of private insurers - please! There are any number of insurable areas still left for them to squeeze out their paltry trillions.

[sparky73]

John McCain should not have done that. We have freedom of speech in America and he should know better. Shame on you John McCain. You are not an American, just a war monger

[BobEvansZombie]

These yelling maroons were huge campaigns base. Now he has to deal with it.

[mharg11]

We have all seen the Paid senior citizens yelling at Dems T H meetings. I think it's great to let repubs see just how disruptive it is when it comes back on them. I also think it was great that people with serious questions got a chance to put Mc*Cains feet to the fire about HC. It's sad that he doesn't appear to be getting the message that we need reform and the public option to keep insurance co's fair. Some insurance co's will fail because they have been cheats and poor providers for sometime. It happens in business and the good ones will survive and America will be better of for it.

If nothing is done, where will we be in another 15 yrs.? Who will be able to afford the premiums just to be under insured because the insurance co's are standing between you and your doctors. They yell socialized medicine, and we now have dictators, the insurance co's. The term, uninsurable, should be the thing that brings about fear to all of us. That term is defined by the insurance co's and it could be tagged to each of us at some point. What then?

[Constitutioner]

"PAID senior citizens"? where's your proof of this. if you can show me systematic payments to those who show up opposing H.R.3200 I'm sure everyone would love to see it.

[Matthew Benzor]

John MCcain could lose his seat in 2010.This is the chance for democrats to "win" his senate seat.When the opposition in a presidential race almost wins your state.Something is wrong and when healthcare reformers who want the public option are out numbering.those who are against it ,The Democrats need to find someone in arizona that could run against MCcain.Also when you sell a peice of american history to a foriegn country like the MCcains did ,they sold ANHEUSER- BUSH who has been owned by americans for Decades and decades whats that tell you the MCcains are sell - outs.

[lyingtruth]

Correction: Cindy McCain did not sell Anheuser-Busch because she didn't own it.

She is the major stockholder of Hensley & Co. is an Anheuser-Busch beer wholesaler and distributor.

Please gather your facts prior to making accusations!

[beyondthepale9779]

Like Gore lost his home state in 2000?

[Teadye]

Town hall meetings have become the soap box for screamers.... the ones who have nothing intelligible to say. It's become the bad behavior du jour.

Code Pink et al may have shouted and chanted, but there was a message and words. Given the opportunity I'm sure they would have loved to sit down and discuss their issue in an atmosphere of reason and calm. They did that often enough on TV. However, all Rethugs could see in them was angry women shouting, which is what they mimiced. Now we have the form without the function.

[MikeLawson]

The excuse for arresting code pink members at these town halls was that they came in to disrupt the event. Now when the whackos who show up with guns from the rightwing neo-Con movement do it, its being a patriotic American. Geesh, don't you know the difference? :)

[troika]

Town Hall meetings have just become JOKES. There is no question and answer session except shoutings which have become the order of the day. How can there be any normal discussions whenever there is a raucous crowd present to disturb the meeting? PUBLIC OPTION is just that and those willing to go along with it should opt for it and those not wishing to go with it can choose something else on their own. The latter category do not speak for the entire country. A simple observation comes to mind. A student has the option of going either to Harvard University or simply a State University. While the tuition at Harvard is exorbitant thereby making it out of his/her reach the tuition at the State University is comparatively affordable. So he/she according to his/her ability goes to the school he/she chooses. Bottomline both these category of students obtain their diplomas after four years of undergradaute studies. Perhaps we all can think on this plane and choose whatever or however we can afford.

[noreast77]

In america, business concerns are more important than citizens concerns, and so america will fail. A real president for "change" wouldn't be meeting with insurance and pharma companies, he would meet with people FIRST then ACT.

[mharg11]

What do you think the Pres. did first concerning HC? He met with the people but the repubs are for the insurance co's. and lying to senior citizens and little minds in this country. If HC fails now, what will HC be like 10 yrs from now? Americans have to stand up and let the opposition know that we want reform. Insurance co's will not change and they will continue to leave many under insured because they want profits and care for you and me.

[mharg11]

Correction:

Insurance co's don't care about care for you and me.

[troika]

We should be laughing at ourselves for being so petty minded about providing healthcare to all of our citizens. We keep telling ourselves that we have the best healthcare in the universe (and yet we are behind the developing nations). We can keep on gloating about this till the cows come home and ridicule ourselves. Our politicians are thick skinned and self centered. As long as they and their families get the best of health care services, their attitude is always going to be "WHO CARES ABOUT THE PUBLIC" All their so called concerns about the regular folks are at best pretentious and at worst ignominious. Everyone of them needs to be booted out and replaced by people who think about the citizens first. Hope that day ARRIVES soon.

[lefty247]

He needs to retire, go play craps in vegas, spend hi 'ol lady's millions, and forget about obstucting progress in the USA.
He makes my flesh crawl.

[hauty007]

HR3200 is NOT about McCain, it's about me, don't like it too DAMN expensive, GET over it.
Grow up & make a decision for yourself.

[Deedlebug]

Mccain says that Barack Obama's plan to create a government option to compete with private insurers would be the eventual end of private insurers in the U.S...who is it that he works for again, citizens or insurance companies? He has no problem seeing my family going broke to maintain a basic health care plan. The insurance giants spend more on their damn post it notes than I earn in a year I think they can afford to cut back- I know that I can not.

[LDS50]

Insurance companies should be gone. Insurance companies don't provide health care, they suck the dollars meant for health care away for their shareholders.

[troika]

Deedlebug, ask McCain what type of health care services he gets and tell him we too want the same. For everything else the general rule is 'What's good for the goose is good for the gander". So what's good for the politicians should be good for the citizens.. We should demand the same health care for us similar to what they get if not PUBLIC OPTION is the best. The naysayers do not speak for everyone. Too bad, if they do not want this option, they all can go take a hike.