Town Meetings Backfire for Obama

[Cannuck]

The only americans who are opposed are the ones who have investments in the industry.

Isn't the pharmaceutical industry helping to fund pro-health reform ads?

The conservative movement has not yet offered up arguments against the proposal for health care reform

Of course they have 5P. Your statement is either misinformed or dishonest. Which is it?

 

[Machjo]

Obama and the Democrats called for town meetings to push the Healthcare plan. What they didn't plan on was conservatives actually protesting and people in opposition to his plan. Libs and Dems are pretty stunned because it is typically THEIR followers on the other side of the line.

YouTube - Arlen Specter Booed at Town Hall Meeting Pushing Healthcare Reform

How is this backfiring? i thought one purpose of the town meetinsg was in fact to get community feedback. Without these meetings, Obama might not have been aware of the diversity of views. This has made them aware, and so allows them to modify their plan as needs be to incorporate the diversity of ideas.

How is this backfiring?

 

[Machjo]

I must say though that the people in that video are outright rude.

 

[EagleSmack]

How is this backfiring? i thought one purpose of the town meetinsg was in fact to get community feedback. Without these meetings, Obama might not have been aware of the diversity of views. This has made them aware, and so allows them to modify their plan as needs be to incorporate the diversity of ideas.

How is this backfiring?

It is backfiring because they did not expect to be questioned and did not count on the anger.

My own congressmen here is Massachusetts won't even have a town hall meeting because he doesn't want to deal with it. Tierney at first came out and said he would have one and now he refuses. Hmmm. I wonder why?

 

[EagleSmack]

I must say though that the people in that video are outright rude.

Like MoveOnDOT ORG rude? Code Pink Rude?

 

[Machjo]

It is backfiring because they did not expect to be questioned and did not count on the anger.

My own congressmen here is Massachusetts won't even have a town hall meeting because he doesn't want to deal with it. Tierney at first came out and said he would have one and now he refuses. Hmmm. I wonder why?

That might not be waht they expected, but now that they have to face it, it still benefits them in pushing for more consultation on the matter, thus helping them to avoid the risk of really alienating the electorate come next election. If my constituents are angry with me, I'd rather know now so that I can take corrective measures, rather than learn about it come next election.

 

[Machjo]

Like MoveOnDOT ORG rude? Code Pink Rude?

We can always find worse.

 

[Machjo]

It is backfiring because they did not expect to be questioned and did not count on the anger.

My own congressmen here is Massachusetts won't even have a town hall meeting because he doesn't want to deal with it. Tierney at first came out and said he would have one and now he refuses. Hmmm. I wonder why?

Then you don't vote for him next election. A wise one woudl face the people, take the heat, learn their thoughts, adjust his plans accordingly, build a few bridges in the process, and maybe be forgiven and re-elected come next election.

A dumb one goew in hiding, never knowing the real thoughts of his constituents, only to sink come next election. Would they rather know the truth and correct themselves now, or woudl they rather live in bliss and sink later? The choice is theirs.

 

[EagleSmack]

Given the rhetoric that most Americans have about freedom of speech, the ordeal of conservatives crashing these meetings (with disruption, rather than constructive questions, comments or debate) is absolutely un-American.

Ordeal... that was funny. It really was because to liberals this IS an ordeal. They are the ones used to being TRULY disruptive and shouting over people. To them conservatives speaking out is absolutely shocking. Conservatives are supposed to just persevere and accept whatever comes their way.

The conservative movement has not yet offered up arguments against the proposal for health care reform;

They are and the arguement is simple. Stay away from our Health Care. They do not want the government stepping in and being in control. Simple.

they have only offered personal attacks against the president, and anti-progressive rhetoric.

How does the kool-aid taste?

Members of the Congress of the United States should pay no attention to the shrieking matches that have become these meetings, unless the conservative movement can start to articulate some proper constructive conversation on the issues of health care reform.

Oh but members of congress are paying attention.

The Honorable Representative Nancy Pelosi

(8th District of California), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, is correct. There has been no democratic move to oppose these health care reforms—there has been no proper communication, conversation, debate or other peaceful demonstration based on the merits or weaknesses of the proposal. There has been only hatred, conservative rhetoric and character assassination. But yes, let the conservative movement continue on this hazardous climb to hysterics, irrelevance, and eventual auto-destruction.

I wouldn't expect Nancy to say anything but what she is spouting off.

Auto-destruction? Try resurgence. Only 8 months into his presidency and he has already managed to give a well needed boost to conservatives. Scary isn't it?

 

[EagleSmack]

Then you don't vote for him next election. A wise one woudl face the people, take the heat, learn their thoughts, adjust his plans accordingly, build a few bridges in the process, and maybe be forgiven and re-elected come next election.

Well said. I agree.

A dumb one goew in hiding, never knowing the real thoughts of his constituents, only to sink come next election. Would they rather know the truth and correct themselves now, or woudl they rather live in bliss and sink later? The choice is theirs.

I agree here as well. Good post.

 

[Machjo]

Personally, I don't expect my representative to be perfect or all-knowing. I can accept errors from him. The one thing I do expect though is character; and that I expect uncompromisingly. For a representative to be willing to face his constituents and take the heat and either convince them of his idea or adjust his to theirs, to be able to consider differing viewpoints, to not be afraid to admit error, to not be afraid to invite his constituents to share their ideas, that is a sign of character. He needn't be perfect, but needs to have character.

 

[EagleSmack]

Personally, I don't expect my representative to be perfect or all-knowing. I can accept errors from him. The one thing I do expect though is character; and that I expect uncompromisingly. For a representative to be willing to face his constituents and take the heat and either convince them of his idea or adjust his to theirs, to be able to consider differing viewpoints, to not be afraid to admit error, to not be afraid to invite his constituents to share their ideas, that is a sign of character. He needn't be perfect, but needs to have character.

Well I can't give you another GREENIE for this because I gave you one for the other post. But I would have.

 

[gopher]

''Rachel Madcow is a far left wing whacko and everything she says has an liberal agenda. ''


Rachel backs up her claims with documented fact unlike the reich wing sickos on the Faux network or Flush Limpballs.

 

[pegger]

I love the righteous indignation that some Canadians have over the American experience with their Health Care debate.

It happens up here to (just not as extreme) Try having a reasonable discussion about 2-tier health care - or allowing more private services into Canada, and we get the similar reaction up here as well.

The simple fact is that Health Care reform is needed - both in the US and in Canada. Our countries rate 38 and 30th respectively on the WHO list - and "supposedly" the US is the greatest country on earth. A discussion is needed - because, face it - your Health Care system sucks. Period. when 25% of your population can't afford health care - and the leading cause of personal bankruptcy is your health care system - there is a problem. Hey, our system is close in suck-atude as well. The main difference - I don't go bankrupt if, god forbid, a calamity befalls my family (like illness or accident).

Both sides of the debate need to grow up. (same goes for Canada too) The only ones that suffer in the end, because of actions like this, is the population in general.

 

[EagleSmack]

''Rachel Madcow is a far left wing whacko and everything she says has an liberal agenda. ''


Rachel backs up her claims with documented fact unlike the reich wing sickos on the Faux network or Flush Limpballs.

No she picks a few examples out of a million and uses that to broad brush everyone. She sterotypes which makes her non-tolerant of other views. She is no different than Rush only she represents the far left and liberals.

 

[Machjo]

Ignore this. Wrong thread.

 

[gopher]

''She is no different than Rush only she represents the far left and liberals.''

You obviously do not watch her show. Unlike Rush, she documents her claims and provides you with links to back them up.

Try watching her show sometime and you will see.

 

[taxslave]

Not quite sure why republicans have a problem with a healthy population other than the rich. Of course they do not much like the idea of an educated population either. Perhaps being a billionare looses its luster when everyone is rich. The oddest thing is that about one weeks worth of military spending would cover the entire health care budget.

 

[Machjo]

Not quite sure why republicans have a problem with a healthy population other than the rich. Of course they do not much like the idea of an educated population either. Perhaps being a billionare looses its luster when everyone is rich. The oddest thing is that about one weeks worth of military spending would cover the entire health care budget.

B,b,but what about the Evil Empire, protecting Amerrrrrica's interests, giving every American the opportunity to fight someone for God and country? That doesn't come cheap.