David Scott on a racial undertone in the debate over health care reform
Just got off the phone a few minutes ago with U.S. Rep. David Scott of metro Atlanta, who underlined what he said are some worrisome racial undertones in the current health care debate.
U.S. Rep. David Scott of metro Atlanta/Associated Press
As noted this morning, Scott was the topic of a WXIA TV report over the weekend, which detailed an Aug. 1 confrontation with opponents of health care reform at a town hall meeting in Douglasville.
Scott angrily accused protestors of attempting to “hijack” the meeting.
On Monday, the congressman said he stood by those comments, which were recorded by the city’s cable TV outlet — then truncated into the WXIA report.
The edited video hit the airwaves only this weekend, but in fact was one of the first of many such clashes over health care reported around the country.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Decatur) will host a town hall meeting on health care this evening. His staff says 20 law enforcement officers will be on hand to maintain order.
What the WXIA report failed to capture, the 13th District congressman said, was the fact that the health care protestors intruded on a delicate, local discussion.
“That was not my town hall meeting. It was the city of Douglasville. They had worked months to put a town hall meeting together, for me to come and to explain and to give comfort and assurance [to] the community that would be impacted,” Scott said.
The topic was the $70 million reconstruction of Ga. 92 in the community. Sixty-eight homes and businesses will be destroyed in the process.
“It would go right through the heart of the African-American community,” Scott said. “These people don’t know — they’re willing to try to trust here, but they want some comfort. They want to know how their homes will be appraised. How will the neighborhood be impacted? The whole future of Douglasville rests on this road. That’s what that meeting was about. It was not about health care.”
Scott said it was the fact that the meeting wasn’t his, and dealt with a sensitive topic, that made him use the sharp tone.
“I was going to stand up and get the respect of the constituents of mine that had worked hard to put a meeting together. And I was not going to let [health care protestors] hijack this meeting. We were discussing the life-and-death issues of their future and their homes and their way of life,” Scott said. “It was very disrespectful and selfish. I had to speak up for the respect of the people of Douglasville.”
Scott said he’ll be the sponsor of a health fair in Jonesboro on Saturday. “I’m willing to take questions. But that’s mine. This meeting was not mine,” Scott said.
City Manager William Osborne, who moderated the Douglasville event, confirmed that health care protestors had to be called to order “four or five times” during a meeting that lasted nearly four hours.
The city manager said the demonstrators weren’t a surprise — Herman Cain, the WSB Radio talk show host and former Republican candidate for senator, had urged those opposed to current health care proposals to show up.
But Osborne also disputed descriptions of Scott as “ranting.”
“He was angry and he showed that anger. But he was totally under control,” Osborne said.
Scott said he understands why he was the target of confrontation. As the only member of Congress who is a member of the Blue Dog and New Democrat caucuses, plus the Congressional Black Caucus, Scott says he has begun to fill the role of go-between on the health care issue.
“I think members of Congress have to stand firm, and they have to be able to realize that we’re in a fight — that this is a serious issue, it is a deliberative issue. But we’re being hanged in effigy,” he said.
Scott said he has no problem with protestors exercising their freedom of speech.
“This is a different thing here. We’re dealing a concerted effort to use these town hall meetings to bum rush Democratic congressmen about this issue,” Scott said.
While Scott acknowledged the legitimate concerns that many Americans have when it comes to overhauling health care, the congressman also expressed worry about the debate’s undertone. Scott e-mailed me a sampling of some of the rougher health care mail he’s received — the ones with variations of the n-word.
“You were, you are, and you shall forever be but a ———-,” one fax to his office reads. The missive includes a mug of President Barack Obama with a hammer-and-sickle stamped on his forehead.
“The folks are not going to stand for socialized medicine even though most Negroes refuse to stand on their own two feet,” says another.
“These people are bringing [in] race — and ‘Negro’ and ‘colored’ and Obama,” Scott said. “We should applaud the fact that we have an African-American president and he is working on this. This is a great thing. But it should not be a racial situation. What have we done except look at the problem and move on it?”
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514 comments Add your comment
extremerightwing
August 10th, 2009
4:12 pm
guess the congressman can’t handle more than one topic at a time. he was very naive to think health care wouldn’t come up.
Ron
August 10th, 2009
4:12 pm
In this particular situation Scott should have made it clear up front the meetings were to discuss local situation and not health care. So long as he has a specific meeting set up to discuss the health care situation that seems fair enough.
Halibut Maoir
August 10th, 2009
4:14 pm
Sharica-Our elected officials including the president himself have not read the complete bill!! Gibbs,Obama’s mouth piece stated when asked about reading the entire bill “he (obama) promises to go over points of the bill” when pressed by a reporter if “go over” meant read entire bill before signing it, he gave the same response. People expect they’re elected officials to at least read bill’s before signing them. Also what is the left afraid of by debate?
SMART AMERICAN
August 10th, 2009
4:14 pm
RACIAL MY ASS! A MAN WHO THROWS THE RACE CARD EVERY TIME SOMEONE DISAGREES WITH HIM!! DISGRACE TO AMERICA
ray
August 10th, 2009
4:14 pm
Mike, I feel sorry for you. You are an endangered species and don’t know it. In a few years, when all your money has gone to pay for health care for a bunch of no-good deadbeats, what will you do then?
Steve
August 10th, 2009
4:20 pm
Based on a lot of these comments, I see that Scott is right.
Halibut Maoir
August 10th, 2009
4:21 pm
Stephen D-You should go to Jay Bookmans Blog,there you’ll find many of your liberal bretheren. Many of which rant and rave. Pretty shallow and pompus I may add to think that the right are the only ones who are boisterous in they’re views. Maybe you forgot all those anti-war rallies back in the 60’s (peacefull-HA!) and most recently rallies against Bush. Oh yeah calm & collected debate,come on.
Dan
August 10th, 2009
4:21 pm
Enter your comments here
pd
August 10th, 2009
4:22 pm
I think he makes a good point about the meeting not being his. I know that if I lived in Douglasville, I sure as heck wouldn’t want people asking about healthcare when a road is about to be built where my house now stands.
As far as him “playing the race card”, are you suggesting that people don’t send him those faxes and messages that were mentioned?
BeautifulSoul_33
August 10th, 2009
4:22 pm
I’ve been reading all of the comments and I’m just wondering, has anyone seen or read the healthcare reform bill? I don’t even think it’s been written. If i’m wrong please let me know where I can read the bill and learn for myself.
HUH?
August 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
@Fred – If you choose not to have healthcare because you are unemployed and God forbid anything happens to you, who do you think will be stuck with paying the cost for you to go to the hospital?
BeautifulSoul_33
August 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
If it hasn’t been written, then how can any of you have formed an opinion already?
just say no
August 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
Please hear us…just say NO to this health care reform. Do not rush the people and do not rush health care reform. This is not a racial issue. I voted for Obama, but I do not like the way this is being done.
Chuckie D
August 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
I find it amazing that Cong. Scott has seemed to forgotten that Mr. Osborne addressed the audience and announced there would be questions from those who were in attendance for other than the Hwy 92 project.
Yet, he accused those of us who would dare question his thoughts on governement healthcare of “Hijacking” the meeting???
He loudly stated, “If you want a meeting, call my office”! When he was told Isaac (his aide from the Smyrna office) had been called twice the day before, it looked like Isaac wanted to charge the person who would dare call him out!
This is yet another example of true arrogance and elitism at its finest.
***************************Purge them all—I can’t wait until November 2010*************************
billy bob from cobb
August 10th, 2009
4:24 pm
right on ray. Lets clean up the gene pool. why dont you run for office
Role Reversal
August 10th, 2009
4:25 pm
As a white yankee living in a neighborhood that is 96% black let me tell you about racism.
I can’t work hard without being entitled. I can’t speak up without having an agenda. I can’t educate without being snobby. I can’t live freely without being threatened.
The one thing I can do is choose my health coverage. This is not a black or white thing. My mother and many friends don’t have insurance. If you want it… work for it.
Ben Jenkins
August 10th, 2009
4:26 pm
Geez, what a bunch of racist rubes are posting on here! How do you idiots get your shoes tied each morning? Laughing at y’all from up north…
Tongo
August 10th, 2009
4:27 pm
Tongo say “How dare rich white doctor ask the great, the honorable, the Senator Scott to answer a question. He must be racist.”
I will let you decide who is the racist–me, the Dr. or Rep. Scott.
Chuckie D
August 10th, 2009
4:27 pm
One other thing Mr. Galloway:
Please check with the Chief of Police of Douglasville and see if he threatened to arrest an individual for attempting to videotape this meeting?
Yes, this happened and is posted on the net.
Halibut Maoir
August 10th, 2009
4:28 pm
Beuatifull Soul_33- That’s alot of the point,our elected officials have’nt even read it in it’s entirety! Most importantly our President! It’s over a 1000 pages, and god only knows whats been put in it. People just want to be able to trust our govnmnt, and we can’nt if they won’t be up front with us. This administation was elected with the promise of transparency and to stray from the old way’s of DC,but it looks like much of the same.
Ryan
August 10th, 2009
4:28 pm
Douglasville resident, you have not a clue. The housing crisis started when democrats like Barney Frank forced banks through legislation to give loans to people who were not credit worthy of said loans. Research the community reinvestment act, CRA, and you might learn something for a change. Democrats are socialists that do not respect the US constitution. Govt. programs such as welfare, social security etc violate the constitution and fail to promote personal responsibility.
Physician & Surgeon
August 10th, 2009
4:29 pm
‘In Defense of Patients & Physicians’: http://drmccloud.com/blog.php
While everyone debates health care, the INSURANCE COMPANIES NEED TO GET THEIR HANDS OFF THE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM. The medical profession has been RAPED by insurance companies. Stop the “physician networks;” allow doctors to have an open market. Stop the “pre-certs! They waste time, money, energy. A doctor and patient can decide what’s needed, NOT the insurance companies.
Homie
August 10th, 2009
4:31 pm
The interview with the “protester” has valid points. He tried to call the man, tried to get answers, but the answer were all no.
He finally went to a place where he could ask questions after being denied the usual “respectable” channels.
Like most other politicos, the man probably can’t (or won’t) answer the questions and cannot afford to be embarrassed in front of his congregation. Sometimes the speakers just walk out when asked tough questions. At least this guy stayed in there.
Guess What
August 10th, 2009
4:31 pm
We already have government run health care – ask the men and women of the armed forces about it, ask a Congressman about their health coverage, ask anybody over 65 about their Medicare – it might not all be perfect, but it is better than no coverage at all! I assume that all who are against government run health care will be declining Medicare coverage when they reach qualifying age – I know I won’t!
Bama12
August 10th, 2009
4:33 pm
Sharica, I agree with some of what you said, “Ignorance Still come in all shape, sizes and colors” but I have to say all I hear is how Bush sent us to war, when actually CONGRESS sent us to war with an almost 100% support of the Democrats. Also, from the points or highlights of the healthcare reform bill, there are many points that should make everyone want to stop and say wait a minute, for example the formation of a federal board that is to review claims and determine if they think the expense is allowable, not your doctor that recomended it. there are more points but we are limited. This type of healthcare is in Canada and alot of Canadians come to the US to get medical care. Last thing, I see that because I disagree with your views, I may be one of those “right-wing cowards” so maybe we should refer to the last line of your comment!
Chris
August 10th, 2009
4:33 pm
Hey ummm….Ryan – the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness isn’t in the Constitution – that’s the Declaration of Independence – which carries zero legal weight in this country.
Constitution says that the gov’ts job is to
1. provide for the common defense
2. promote the general welfare
3. establish justice
4. promote domestic tranquility
5. and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity (i.e. future generations)
Healthcare can be interpreted to fit under several of these – as can the argument against.
I think this rep’s frustration isn’t the protesting – it’s the venue. He’s trying to meet with a group of constituents about a separate issue that impacts them. They probably got nothing accomplished because a bunch of folks shouted and screamed during a meeting about housing. He’s holding a meeting about healthcare at another date – yell at him then. Basically they used their first amendment rights to deny the first amendment rights to another group. The right to swing your fist ends where the other man’s face begins the old saying goes.
I don’t want a single payer system either – however I’ve read a good deal of several of the bills floating around and none of them mandate a single payer system. It basically will create a gov’t run company like Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac – that people who are in between jobs or don’t get coverage through their employer can buy, just like people aren’t forced to get their mortgages from Fannie & Freddie (and thank goodness) So a lot of this anti single payer system anger is I think inherently correct but doesn’t apply to what’s being tossed about.
What members of the right can do (and I will fully support) is try to come up with something. The majority of Americans want some type of reform because our costs are spiraling out of control and contrary to what ray said, our healthcare system is pretty junky – we rank around 35th internationally if I recall. I would like to see a Republican come forward with a plan that will help rein in costs and increase coverage. I certainly don’t want government running the healthcare after their record with schools & financial institutions. I guess my point is this:
Some type of healthcare reform is going to happen. It’s not an oppressive corrupt gov’t trying to control you – it’s what a majority of Americans want and voted for. It stinks being in the minority on an opinion but you’re options are 1) yell and scream – which gets you nowhere. How successful were all those anti-war protesters? 2) Get Republicans in Congress to generate a plan that will help our system. If you come up with a good plan and can get support behind that plan (from more than 30% of the electorate) then two things can happen – your plan passes, or the dems face backlash in the elections for shunning a popular plan. The way the right is going now they aren’t going to gain anything from this – because pitching a temper tantrum doesn’t get you (or your kids) what you want.
Chrissy
August 10th, 2009
4:34 pm
It looks like it’s time to clean house!
4th District
August 10th, 2009
4:34 pm
Halibut Maoir:
My retort is summed up in a three words….”the Northern Arch”. I did not hear one member of the sons of the confedracy ask governor Perdue about the Flag when Homes in Cartersville and Buford were in danger before that project was killed. So why then is it acceptable to talk about healthcare reform when 62 more homes and businesses are in danger just becuase “some” do not think their homes are important enough to give the proper respect to the democratic process.
Freedom of Speech
August 10th, 2009
4:36 pm
Health Care reform is not about “Health Care” it’s about a power grab, we the people elect the representatives from our districts to serve the People, and look out for the “Overall Health of this Nation”. And up to this point for both the Democrats and the Republicans well it has a been a pathetic game of “Me and My” at the expense of the taxpayers.
Mr. Scott the illusionary Health care debate (it appears that the Dems have already counted the votes) is not about race and to think anything else is a further insult to this insidious issue of “Healthcare reform” I work over 40 hours a week I have decided to participate in employee sponsored health plans for most of my adult working life and have paid for it and my respected portion thereof; Now let’s see we have Medicare, medicade, peach care, the prescription drug program and I’m sure several more government health programs to mention, so why is it that the “Tax Payers” who pay for your health care don’t even get to decide if they can get some of the benefits of the congressional or senatorial, or executive branch health care plan? Oh let me guess let the people that pay the taxes be labeled as mobs and racist and out of control. This just doesn’t add up and you’re using our money to propose this garbage. I have some questions to ask of you myself “if I may”? Stop reading from the talking points and use “some” of the knowledge you gained at “Wharton” this whole deal does not compute!!!
Brian
August 10th, 2009
4:37 pm
Wow, I am a conservative freedom fighter and I’m amazed at the ignorance of the comments here. Do these angry Republicans truly not understand that they have become stooges of the agents of power, wealth and privilege?? Just look at the corporate interests orchestrating these astroturf protests. This is a sad day for my beloved country. We the people will rise above these backhanded assaults on our democracy. I am embarrassed by the gullibility of my fellow ‘conservatives’. Wake Up Countrymen!!
Get Real
August 10th, 2009
4:38 pm
Where were the socialism cries when Bush passed Medicare Part D? Oh yeah, he was a republican.
Chris
August 10th, 2009
4:38 pm
@Beautiful Soul
No there isn’t a healthcare bill right now. There are about 60 ideas and proposals floating around through through various committees in both houses of Congress. So nobody has read an entire bill because there isn’t an entire bill. The house is working on combing all of their committees’ work and the Senate is doing this same. There won’t be a final “bill” that one could sit down and read for quite some time considering how slowly this is moving through Congress.
Whatever
August 10th, 2009
4:39 pm
What I find strange is when a black person is called a “n”, and the black person calls that guy a racist, the it’s the black persons fault because they played the “race card”?? Sad to say, but as a white guy, I’ve heard some of my friends (who are all white) call black people “n’s” (of course not to a black persons face) and each one of them has said right out of their mouth “I’m not a racist.” Well, then I’m confused as to what a racist is… can someone help me?
Bama12
August 10th, 2009
4:44 pm
To douglasville resident, check your facts, Bill Clinton allowed the deregulation of the housing market (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack) which allowed the finance companies to give loans to those who couldn’t afford to pay them back and again CONGRESS sent us to war with the full support of the Democrats. Bush spent more money in 8 years than all of the previous presidents combined, Obama has spent more than Bush in just 8 months. Who has blinded whom?
Halibut Maoir
August 10th, 2009
4:44 pm
4th district- I stated, I agree with you that disruping a meeting solely about Ga 92 was not good. But based on a few post’s here the floor was opened to other questions. And I still say Mr Scott was naive or just plain stupid to think it would’nt be brought up. I never said the main issue of the meeting was’nt important nor did I try to down play it.
Get Real
August 10th, 2009
4:45 pm
Ryan @ 4:28, I would be in agreement if there weren’t so many homes in foreclosure ALL OVER! Doesn’t matter what neighborhood or what part of town you live in, people have lost their homes. Many due to job loss. And how about you provide numbers as to how many loans were provided for those ‘low-income’ folks you speak of. IMO, they’ll amount to just a blip and the real cause of the recession was wall streeters hedging their bets and not having the money when the debt comes due. But thats just me.
Andy in Blairsville
August 10th, 2009
4:46 pm
Believe it or not Mr. Scott but just because someone disagrees with you and/or Obama they aren’t racists and apparently this time they are your constituents.
Vote Scott OUT!!!!
Joe Biden Time
August 10th, 2009
4:48 pm
Amazing to wake up this a.m. and be considered un-American because I ask questions. My kid needs help with homework tonight I’m gonna tell him he’s un-Studious.
David Granger
August 10th, 2009
4:48 pm
So opposition to the liberal viewpoint is now “racism”. Why are we NOT surprised?
Ghost Writer
August 10th, 2009
4:48 pm
These yahoos want to say Scott is a racist, yet overlook the racist faxes he received. Nice post Whatever @ 4:39. These ‘informed’ people have no idea. They live in their little enclaves and receive their information through word of mouth.
JDE
August 10th, 2009
4:48 pm
Scott is just Playing the Democrats overplayed Race Card. Ever hear Michael Steele, Colin Powell, or Condoleeca Rice play the R Card? By law, as members of the GOP they cant. Its only reserved for black Democrats.
Halibut Maoir
August 10th, 2009
4:49 pm
Chis-While there is’nt a completed bill written as of yet,the main points are there.And this is not a bi-partisan bill by any stretch of the imagination.
Atlanta_Tiger_Fan
August 10th, 2009
4:50 pm
Typical racist black comment.
Get Real
August 10th, 2009
4:51 pm
JDE, Colin Powell was on Larry King less than two weeks ago and recollected about how he had been racially profiled. Nice try though. And its Condoleeza. You’re really informed.
Think for yourself
August 10th, 2009
4:51 pm
Sharica: You comment proved your last point; ignorance does still come in all colors. I believe people are standing up against the healthcare issue mainly because they have read the bills being proposed, not the other way around.Our congressmen don’t even read the bills they propose. Sunlight is always best, and the more people find out, the more they will see our liberties taken away from us. Maybe you should read more Thomas Sowell, or is he one of those right-wing cowards.
Remember Sharica it was our own intelligence agency that claimed Iraq had WMD’S along with German and British intelligence. How convenient that you forgot this little fact.
Bama12
August 10th, 2009
4:54 pm
If one person sends in an email with racist comments then call that person a racist, the problem is that when one Republican sends in a racist comment, ALL Republicans become racist. Don’t judge all by the actions of one.
Arthur Blank
August 10th, 2009
4:54 pm
NO more obama, now thats change we can believe in.
Or as the insurance duck likes to say half-black, half-black!
D@mn I am glad Roddy White (who is black) came back.
b6542
August 10th, 2009
4:55 pm
Just stick to the point. Quit trying to take control of MY healthcare AND the massive tax increase on the middle class with this cap and trade scam………
Amazed
August 10th, 2009
4:55 pm
Conservatives did not support President Bush on everything that he did while in office. And, when liberals spoke out against the policies of Bush, they were not referred to as angry mobs. Kayne West called President Bush a racist after hurricane Katrina. I was not impressed with the way that disaster was handled, but I do not believe it was because the president was racist. Obama is attempting to change the fabric of America by introducing Socialism. If people do not stand against that, it’s agreeing by default. This country is great enough to stand for. Soldiers have been fighting for our freedom since the country was founded. To turn total control over to the government now without saying anything would be un American. The only program the government has ever effectively run is the military. I do believe the health care system needs to be reformed, and hope Obama can accomplish that without a ‘Government run option.’ It is clear that this is entirely about race to you. Obama wouldn’t have won the election without white people voting for him, that is a very weak argument on your part. The healthcare reform that he wants passed immediately is not going to begin until 2013, he is in a hurry to do this because Congress will change dramatically in 2010 and he probably won’t be a 2nd term president with the changes he’s making. All I want is for him to consider ‘All’ of America and do what’s in the best interest as opposed to pushing and agenda through so quickly out of fear.
Keith
August 10th, 2009
4:56 pm
Typical thug! Always trying to use the race card no matter what. You people want insurance? Get a job somewhere that offers it and you will be fine. However, that would require you getting an education first instead of stealing and robbing everyone downtown.