Today I managed to attend one of the town halls sponsored by a key critic of the Democrats' health care reform, Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina. Well, I wasn't there in person, only in spirit -- thanks to a live web broadcast starting at noon via WSPA-TV. They covered his second town hall of the day, as he stood on a platform outside the Beacon Restaurant in Spartanburg.
The crowd was almost universally supportive, even worshipful, with one attendee hailing him for being considered the most conservative senator of all, and another urging him to run for president (he said he was "too smart" for that). The lies and misinformation that came both from the crowd and the stage probably exceeded what many might have imagined. And DeMint denounced the one person who pressed him with a tough question, saying she had come "fully" loaded with "Democratic talking points."
The same thing happened earlier in the day at his town hall in Greenville, when a woman raised some critical questions. DeMint referred to them as "talking points." Don't expect him to be criticized on Fox, a la Barney Frank, for "putting down" an attendee.
Also at Greenville he referred to the suspension of the cash for clunkers programs and asked, "what if the government had to suspend all surgeries'?
Here are some of the highlights of the Spartanburg town hall.
- DeMint said that if the Democrats' plan goes through "hundreds of millions will lose Medicare" coverage.
- One guy said insurance companies are NOT making big profits--only like 6% --and Obama was telling lies about it. DeMint agreed that profits not excessive.
- DeMint said "non-partisan" analysts agree "a hundred million" will lose insurance at their jobs under Obama plan.
- A woman quoted "Jewish spokesman" Ben Stein as tracing the decline of America to taking prayer out of school. She declared that America was a "Christian" nation. DeMint said, "I can't add anything to that."
- Another woman said she had a relative in London "who is dead because of national health care." And willing to document it.
- When a questioner said that the Democrats wanted to cover illegals, DeMint said it sure looked that way and would no doubt happen if not checked.
- A man said he wanted an ethics probe of David Axelrod, but did not say why. DeMint said a real concern but didn't want to get into it because "I am not partisan."
- Finally, a woman stood up and politely asked why he continually put down government programs while also backing insurance companies. He quickly accused her of coming "loaded" with "Democratic talking points" as the crowd hooted.
DeMint closed by thanking the attendees for showing that they backed "taking back the government" -- and that he would try to help them get it back. He urged them to send letters to the editor, call Democratic congressmen-- or start a blog.
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Greg Mitchell's latest book, his ninth, is "Why Obama Won".
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http://palingates.blogspot.com/2009/07/sarah-palins-pregnancy-is-hot-topic.html
The insurance companies are notorious for raising rates and co-pays and denying claims, etc., yet these people want to be complacent and object to alternatives that would benefit more them and others.
Why would people decide to defend their "oppressors"? Either they do have Stockholm Syndrome or they are motivated by a mercenary or racist impulse because they don't want illegal aliens, i.e. Mexicans covered and they don't like the idea of a black President "stirring things up" to defeat the status quo.
I mean, come on.....how stoopid are we all supposed to be???
I really think this response went over the head of many. My question is who is he trying to take back the country from? If they really thought about it, it can't be policies because the majority of the policies, debts and regulations we are living with today are policies the reps put in place. I can only surmise that he is referencing taking the government out of the dems hands and placing it back in the reps. Nothing this man or other reps are saying addresses the needs of the people. They have taken the role of enablers of promoting lies, hate and continuing ignorance. They fail to elevate themselves above the fray with truthful argument or give sound solutions to bring resolve. They strive to build apathy among the knowing in hopes of dashing their spirit to fight for what is right or to vote. They relish in deceit for the sole purpose of trying to "take back the government" for self not the betterment of the country or its people. The game continues to make the current administration a failure at all costs.
These events are not real. They should not be given much coverage. I doubt they are swaying the opinions of more informed and rational people. It is just so much public masturbation.
That is the most ironic statement I think I've ever heard. Jim DeMint.... not partisan????
It boggles my mind, the garbage that comes out of the mouths of these hypocrites!
I mean it's not funny anymore... it's not small thing when a representative is blatantly lying, distorting and misleading the public... shouldn't that be an issue for the ethics comittee. When does something go beyond being a matter of opinion to being a blatant lie and require an ethics review. I think Senator Grassley should be under an ethics review for lying to the public right now as well.