A report from Hank Johnson’s townhall meeting
Last night’s townhall meeting by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., went off without a serious hitch in Clarkston, thanks in part to good planning by his staff. Event organizers made it clear that they wanted a respectful discussion — “respectful” was a term used throughout the night — and they tried hard to ensure that happened.
The fact that a majority of those attending seemed to support President Obama’s proposal probably also played a role. Opponents lacked the critical mass needed to turn the meeting in another direction. The makeup of the overflow crowd — 500 in the auditorium, another 1,000 or so in a gymnasium watching on closed circuit, and maybe another 500 who showed up but left — reflected the fact that the district is majority Democratic. In addition, reform supporters are now on notice that they were getting out-organized by opponents, and they made sure to show up in numbers.
On the rare occasions when things started to get out of hand, it was usually because Johnson — ignoring his own event rules — began to respond directly to things shouted from the audience rather than to questions by citizens who took the time to wait in line and ask questions. In fact, those who booed most loudly and responded most vocally in the audience generally didn’t take the opportunity to stand and ask questions directly to the congressman. And once the respectful tone of the meeting was set early, more than a few of the more vocal opponents simply left.
To his credit, Johnson recruited a panel of health-care experts across the range of opinion, from strong supporter to strong opponent of the reform effort. But he also wasn’t shy about expressing his own support for the plan, directly criticizing the so-called “blue dog” Democrats in the House who are trying to remove the public option from consideration. That includes two or three of Johnson’s fellow Democrats in the Georgia delegation.
A couple of moments stood out for me:
One father brought his four-month-old son to the meeting, citing him as a victim of health-care rationing occurring under the current system. The boy was born via C-section, and his doctor had recommended that the newborn remain in the hospital beyond the time frame that the family’s health coverage would permit. But the family couldn’t afford to pay for that extra time, so his parents were forced to take him home early, a clear case of insurance bureaucrats interfering with the doctor-patient relationship.
To be honest, such things would occur under health-care reform as well. But it did demonstrate that rationing and interference with doctor’s orders are an integral part of the current system, not some new danger that reform would introduce.
I was also struck by numbers cited by Michael Young, president and CEO of Grady Health Systems, the state’s largest public hospital. In the first eight months of the year, Young said, Grady had seen 67,000 more uninsured patients than it had treated in all of 2008, a fact he attributed to the soaring unemployment rate. That’s pretty scary.
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284 comments Add your comment
thomas
August 11th, 2009
12:05 pm
Funny that a low socio-economic area would be in support of free(oops) health care reform.
That is from the same area that swore up and down that Obama would be buying them new tvs as well.
Not the most informed group in all of metro atlanta.
Just check some of the schools in the area, great test scores graduation rates and % of those who go onto college.
SO yes I guess the uninformed and uneducated love the dem. version of HC reform.
Thanks for pointing that out to everyone Jay.
USinUK
August 11th, 2009
12:05 pm
faster than GtG and Whiner …
HA!
USinUK
August 11th, 2009
12:16 pm
“In the first eight months of the year, Young said, Grady had seen 67,000 more uninsured patients than it had treated in all of 2008, a fact he attributed to the soaring unemployment rate. That’s pretty scary”
well, according to Sistah Souljah, it’s because they’re all buying iPhones and paying for expensive gym memberships. if they’re uninsured, it’s because they WANT to be. ask her, she’ll tell you.
(it has nothing to do with the fact that insurance costs $400-500 + a deductible equal to 4 months of minimum wage pay)
Gandalf, the Wise
August 11th, 2009
12:25 pm
When did Young become a statistician?
George American
August 11th, 2009
12:30 pm
HANK JOHNSON? THE BASEBALL PLAYER OR THE BOXER?
getalife
August 11th, 2009
12:32 pm
Then they left their mark:
http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/swastika-113070.html
stands for decibels
August 11th, 2009
12:33 pm
As mentioned previously, I was there too.
(Jay, by any chance were you hanging out at the picnic table after the meeting let out with some other laptop-engaged journalistic types? it was dark, else I might’ve noticed your likeness and said hi.)
I heard very little that I didn’t already know pretty well, but still there were good cases to be made. Yes, some folks who were invited to sit on the panel were either anti-HR3200 or appeared to lean that way.
Hank himself? I’ve only heard him live/in person once, and it was at a forum where his time was very limited, so I wasn’t prepared for his, shall we say, d e l i b e r a t e manner of addressing issues. I guess I could get to like it, but it’s a little jarring when you’re accustomed to much more glib, catch-phrases-at-the-ready politicians.
Brad Steel
August 11th, 2009
12:33 pm
thomas,
Poor people are less likely to have children that go to college. Yeah, imagine that.
thomas
August 11th, 2009
12:34 pm
USinUK,
400-500 is 4 months of min. wage pay? Really so with min. wage being over $6 an hour you think that they can only work about 20 hours a week? Not right!
2nd, just do the math.
Cell phone about $75
Cable TV about $100
Internet about $35
Thats over $200 by me just spending 10 seconds to come up with the figures. So what you are saying is that the cll phone and all that is just as important or more important than health care?
Seems that some, not all, of those you claim are without insurance by force not choice, could possibly insure themselves with a slight budgeting change. But why change your budget if some rich people will be forced into paying for it for you huh…….
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
August 11th, 2009
12:34 pm
Well, I wouldn’t go to no town hall meeting where there’s no fights. It would be like being at a NASCAR race and not having wrecks.
I’ll just stay away from the meetings and keep yelling about death panels and rationed care and paying for abortions and letting the illegals have health insurance. We got to beat this health care bill. If it goes thru it will be the first step toward getting rid of the health insurance cos. and pretty soon you can kiss Trickle Down goodbye.
You can’t never go wrong by taking care of No. 1 first. It’s the Conservative way. I got my health insurance and if you don’t have yours it’s your own fault and you can’t expect me to pay for it.
So like somebody already said, about 15 million of the people that don’t have insurance are illegals and don’t deserve none. And another 20 million are young and healthy people that don’t need it. Another 10 million don’t have it and don’t deserve it because they wouldn’t work if it paid $100,000 a hour and was just taking tickets on the gold streets of Heaven. That leaves about a dozen people that don’t have it and need it and deserve it. It would be alot cheaper just to buy a policy for them. I figure what Obama spent on taking his ugly wife to NY City to see a play would about cover it.
That’s my opinion and it’s very true. Have a good p.m. everybody.
thomas
August 11th, 2009
12:36 pm
Brad, get a b average in high school and the first 30 hours of college work are paid for. Not to mention pell grant is over 5000 now. So don’t play the poor card, if they want to go and make it a priority they could go. It is an issue of NOT WANTING to go. You are talking about a field that I do now so I asure you they could go if they made it a priority.
Kamchak
August 11th, 2009
12:37 pm
That is from the same area that swore up and down that Obama would be buying them new tvs as well
Do you have a link to prove that claim?
Davo
August 11th, 2009
12:39 pm
“…went off without a serious hitch in Clarkston, thanks in part to good planning by his staff.”
So the buses arrived on time?
thomas
August 11th, 2009
12:41 pm
No but I can give you the names of 2 people who lived next to the stadium there behind the school and they told me that directly during the election.
Do you ahve a link to disprove it? NO didn’t think you did.
Nice defense though to wonder of the source. I will be expecting all future comments by you to be included with a link of where you formed that opinion and also a link to show were the opinion of your link formed their opinion.
Normal
August 11th, 2009
12:44 pm
KAMCHAK…Told Josef you asked about him. He said to tell you howdy!
soooo…HOWDY! from JN.
I Report/ I Am The Mob :-) You Whine :-(
August 11th, 2009
12:45 pm
Oh no, the democrats would never stage an event packed full of SEIU stooges.
Of course not.
Kamchak
August 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
Do you ahve(sic) a link to disprove it?
No but I have lived 5 miles ESE of Clarkston for the past 30 years and none of my neighbors would be gullible enough to believe that.
Gandalf, the Wise
August 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
Brad? Do you and your husband want children?
godless heathen
August 11th, 2009
12:47 pm
Those that oppose the proposed “health care reform” are aware of the following facts:
It is impossible to provide coverage to more people for less money.
It is impossible for the government to run this thing efficiently. Look at the scam that Medicare is.
The working people (and by working people, I mean people that work be they rich, poor, or middle class) will be picking up the tab for those that do not.
The private insurance industry will eventually be destroyed because they can’t compete with an entity that can print money to cover losses. Businesses will quit providing health insurance to employees and cast all onto the government program.
Mrs. Godzilla
August 11th, 2009
12:47 pm
For all the “I got mine” crowd.
You’re missing something verrrry important.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF3IMs7Hciw
Kamchak
August 11th, 2009
12:47 pm
Normal
Thanks!
Brad Steel
August 11th, 2009
12:48 pm
thomas,
you seem to “now” quite a lot, especially about poor people. Everyone knows that they are lazy (that’s why they are poor), hate education, love telecom, and don’t want to go college ever though they can easily send their kids there on minimum wage. That’s why Emory and Duke don’t have any poor people.
And don’t forget, one of the biggest problems with poor people is that they ain’t got no money. Imagine that.
Taxpayer
August 11th, 2009
12:50 pm
Not to worry, Jay. The Republican plan of just saying no to the ever-growing need for real reform will fix everything. I hear that the Republicans even have back-up plans in the works. For example, they’re willing to do nothing and if that does not work, they’re willing to just say no to other’s plans and if that does not work, they’re willing to do nothing… .They actually get paid to do that, nothing except to say no, that is. And, we actually provide them with the best restriction-free health care plan that tax dollars can buy. Isn’t that just too kind of us.
thomas
August 11th, 2009
12:50 pm
Kamchak, guess we will just have to take each others word for it then.
Maybe not your neighbors but I assure you they are your community neighbors. Sorry not your fault that stupid people live near you, but they do. I’ve personally been in every high school in dekalb county, and it is not a pretty sight with the exception of 1 or 2 schools. Not the brightest bulbs in the global lampshop.
stands for decibels
August 11th, 2009
12:51 pm
No but I can give you the names of two green dragons who lived in my neighbor’s garage and they told me that directly during the election.
Do you have a link to disprove it? NO didn’t think you did.
stands for decibels
August 11th, 2009
12:52 pm
The private insurance industry will eventually be destroyed
boo freakin’ hoo.
Mrs. Godzilla
August 11th, 2009
12:54 pm
JAY BOOKMAN
Can you do something about the name jacking?
Donovan
August 11th, 2009
12:56 pm
Liberals like Bookman just kill me. First they label socialized medicine as “universal health care”. Now, when there is a national backlash against their debt scheme, they repackage the product as “reform”. You know the drill…liberals calling taxation as “investing” in the future and so on. These carnival snake oil salesmen are eternal illusionists that make David Copperfield look like a child apprentice. When Democrats hold town hall meetings it is a soft ball staged event. Only issues that are greased and uncontested are allowed on the agenda. Contentious items are waived. Outbursts from the audience are either dismissed as organized disruptions or out of order. Showcase meetings are nothing but fluff. The American people are fed up. If our health care is so bad, why are we not going to Canada and the UK for treatment? If our health care is so bad, why isn’t Ted Kennedy going elsewhere for cancer treatment. Ask any Democrat in Congress if they plan on signing up for the “reform package” they are trying to sell us.
Taxpayer
August 11th, 2009
12:57 pm
That 12:51 is not I, the true Taxpayer. I’ve been name-jacked by a jerk-off.
thomas
August 11th, 2009
12:57 pm
Brad it appears you have much more of a problem than me.
Instead of ranting and raving try debating facts with me.
Answer these questions they are simple yes no answers required.
Can all of the “poor” people you are referring to qualify for PELL Grant?
Can any student regardless of income get the 1st 30 hrs of tuition, and books paid for through the HOPE by maintaining a B average?
Is there a new clause that would prevent “poor” people from taking out student loans to pay for college?
You made this about poor people, I made it about dumb people. But apparently you equated dumb as poor, that is your flaw.
By the way Duke and Emory are private colleges and they are not the only form of a higher education. Mnay state sponsored schools you will see have a much lower cost.
I went to a state school, even took out loans for my masters. Did I mention that NEVER, EVER would anyone have considered my parents RICH. I busted my hump to get my undergrad paid for. All you are doing is making excuses. I have recently went through the college system as a student, and now work in it. If a kid wants to go to school they can. They may have to sacrafice but they can go.
Jay
August 11th, 2009
12:59 pm
Gandalph, you’re about thisfar from being gone.
Mrs. Godzilla
August 11th, 2009
12:59 pm
Man brings gun to Obama’s NH townhall !
here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/11/765073/-Man-brings-gun-to-Obamas-NH-townhall-!
Turd Ferguson
August 11th, 2009
1:00 pm
Most people who venture down to Grady are either burn victims as grady has the best burn unit or so Im told. I would venture to guess the remainder or most of are the bums or the baby mama’s with 5 kids who never intend on doing anything productive other than kicking out more puppies and of course the ever popular shooting victims.
As far as…”In the first eight months of the year, Young said, Grady had seen 67,000 more uninsured patients than it had treated in all of 2008, a fact he attributed to the soaring unemployment rate. That’s pretty scary””
And just how does young know. Is dat wut day put on day bill? Oh I see.
*TEWEE* Dont believe a word of it. All you bleeding hearts, doo gooders, double talkers and johnny milktoasts need to obtain a couple of additional jobs so you can assist in paying the bills of the BUMS, baby-mamas, illegals, people who CHOOSE not to have HCare etc.
GET TO WORK LIBERALS!
Mrs. Godzilla
August 11th, 2009
1:00 pm
Thanks J
Finn McCool
August 11th, 2009
1:01 pm
Seriously, some of you conservatards make the case for mass sterilization.
We don’t want to euthanise you as long as you work and pay taxes.
stands for decibels
August 11th, 2009
1:01 pm
Liberals like Bookman just kill me.
if only.
Taxpayer
August 11th, 2009
1:02 pm
Liberals like Bookman just kill me.
Actually, that would be the conservative Republican from Georgia, Isakson, that wants to euthanize you.
righty
August 11th, 2009
1:02 pm
Hank Johnson held a town hall meeting in a district that elected Cynthia McKinney. That tells me all I need to know about his constituents and the what they think of government-run (that’s what it is and don’t try to say otherwise even though the statists deny it left and right) healthcare. Of course the fact that Jay talks about the event “going off without a serious hitch” and that it was a “respectful discussion” just helps hammer it home.
I Report/ I Am The Mob :-) You Whine :-(
August 11th, 2009
1:02 pm
Hot damn, democrats, keep up the good work!
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 30% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-seven percent (37%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -7 (see trends). ~~~~~~~~~Forty-five percent (45%)~~~~~~~~ give the President good or excellent marks for leadership.
Kamchak
August 11th, 2009
1:03 pm
Sorry not your fault that stupid people live near you
thomas—I have done finish carpentry on new homes in all or the counties in the Metro Atlanta area and most of the outlying ones as well, and had the occasion to converse with the prospective homeowners, so believe me when I say there is a good chance stupid people are living near you also.
AmVet
August 11th, 2009
1:03 pm
There once were some loons called the birthers
That teamed up with the clownish astro-turfers
They drank koolaid with tea baggers
And solicited sk@nks and old haggers
And reformed as the new age flat-earthers.
md
August 11th, 2009
1:05 pm
All (rich, poor, middle) choose everything we do, but many here also seem to enjoy choosing excuses.
Taxpayer
August 11th, 2009
1:07 pm
Seriously, some of you conservatards make the case for mass sterilization.
Of course, abstinence works just as well if they do not have health insurance that covers the procedure or condoms or the pill or any number of other options.
Turd Ferguson
August 11th, 2009
1:07 pm
The Dems are beginning to feel the pinch/ache of cardiac arrest.
Brad Steel
August 11th, 2009
1:10 pm
thomas,
your parents probably went to those same state schools many years ago. Back when blacks were banned. Your stats likely support the racists legacy. And those legacy programs sure are working out well. Imagine that?
Finn McCool
August 11th, 2009
1:11 pm
Abstinence, that’s a mouthful!
They used to call Crazy Joe now they call me the batman!
August 11th, 2009
1:12 pm
Now they’re saying Obama doesn’t have anything to do with economy? WTF!!!
When it looks good he doesn’t have anything to do with it; when it looks bad it’s all his fault!!! I wish those conservatives would make up their small minds!!
http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002035/
Bosch
August 11th, 2009
1:16 pm
“No but I can give you the names of two green dragons who lived in my neighbor’s garage and they told me that directly during the election.
Do you have a link to disprove it? NO didn’t think you did.”
And I have unicorns grazing in my back yard who are equally upset that Obama has yet to buy them their plasma screen for the barn. I keep tellin’ ‘em all in good time.
[Seriously DB, had to get the screen/keyboard cleaner for that one]
Finn McCool
August 11th, 2009
1:19 pm
Swastika spray-painted outside Congressman’s office
Someone get these angry white people some meds….or at least some tax cuts. They are losing their collective sheeeot.
Please get em in line before they blow something up.
Taxpayer
August 11th, 2009
1:20 pm
Abstinence, that’s a mouthful!
Sarah tried to teach her daughter that very concept, by example I assume. Wow! I sure hope Sarah does not get a copy of this and come after me. That would just be so uncivilized. Besides, I’ll NEVER abort my words. NEVER!