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
Rob
August 10th, 2009
10:04 pm
Give me a break. When all else fails pull out the race card. I respected Johnson until this!
True American
August 10th, 2009
10:07 pm
Sorry Kris but this is my country, I’ll continue o fight for and the only one’s leaving will be racial terrorist like you and Rush and Newt and the entire republican party.
Go find Hitler and get bombed so WE (Whites, Blacks, Hispanic and Asian Americans) can get to the business of America.
lizzie
August 10th, 2009
10:10 pm
The outrageous behavior of a few ruins the discourse for many at the meeting and now the outrageous use the blog to claim someone else is at fault. We complain about irrepesonsible behavior by children and youth bemoaning the weakening of family values and lack of respect of their elders. Yet some on this blog applaud confrontational tactics, name calling and slanderous speech. In our community where are the moral leaders who refuse to let the mob take over? The Congressman was a guest and the protesters made no friends for their position. For all those who wonder people of all colors, faiths and ethnicities need accessible healthcare and deserve fair treatmen. America’s success as a global leader and our economy depend on the contributions of all not just those who share race, faith and ethnicity. Reasonable people can have a civil disagreement without being disrespectful. The tactics of the “protesters” were selfish and disrespectful of all those good people who came to the meeting to be heard. Grow up and respect yourself by respecting others. That’s a good place to start if you care about the outcome rather than just showing how disruptive you can be.
True American
August 10th, 2009
10:11 pm
Sorry, I did not mean to incorrectly spell your family name “redneck”… honest mistake.
Is that a family name for the 1st generation or 2nd generation racial terrorist?
BlackTolerance
August 10th, 2009
10:14 pm
Actually, “redneck” isn’t a word at all…It can be spelled any way the user chooses.
james
August 10th, 2009
10:20 pm
the republicans in georgia and the country are a group of sore ingorant losers.americans rejected mccain and palin and the ultra conservatives.the republicans only carried the old confederacy states and i am sorry georgia is one of them.
Keeping It Real
August 10th, 2009
10:23 pm
Why are old white people so sensitive and in complete denial when it comes to race. Healthcare is not a racial issue. It is a social issue that involves us all. Mr. Scott and Mr. Johnson are trying to represent their constituients who all have varying opinions. Unfortunately racism is in the mix. Playing the race card and living the race issue are compltely different. Racism is live and well and its not all whites who are playing the up to race card. Politicians have always used this tactic to arouse the idiots in the masses.Billy Bob from Cobb is a prime example I just hope our country does not fall because of of racism.
Ray
August 10th, 2009
10:24 pm
If being against socialized medicine makes me a racist, then I guess I am racist.
And so are about 98% of the people in the country that actually pay taxes.
Ray
August 10th, 2009
10:25 pm
Sore losers? Liberals still whine about losing the 2000 election.
True American
August 10th, 2009
10:25 pm
All jabbing aside… America needs real solutions and we can’t get there with people that are clouded by hate filled agenda’s.
Don’t try and stop the current President, try to help him and all of our representatives understand that OUR country wants them to succeed in helping make America as strong as ever. This means rebuilding the base of our economy (small and medium businesses) and making sure that all Americans have access to progressive health care so that Americans can be healthy enough to work and support there families and communities.
I don’t agree with all the moves that have been made but I also realize the best solution for America goes beyond me, my family, my community and my ideals. So for everyone with an open mind, work together, and don’t back down from true terrorist who would rather see OUR COUNTRY fail so that there agenda may survive.
Pray for our leaders and God bless America.
ron
August 10th, 2009
10:26 pm
I am a 75 year old Democrat and I will do everything I can to get the people out to vote this Obama/Pelosi sheep Scott out of office.
True American
August 10th, 2009
10:30 pm
Thnx Black Tolerance… but I still wanted to apoligize to Kris, he’s rather sensitive about his family name.
I couldn’t resist…
Keeping It Real
August 10th, 2009
10:35 pm
Ron,
I am a 62 year old democrat and I will do everything I can to kepp President Obama in office. Isn’t a democracy a wonderful thing.
Billy Bob from cobb
August 10th, 2009
10:35 pm
cool someone said my name. would it surprize you to know that i made 1.6 million selling health insurance last year and thats 600k in taxes to support all these baby mommas. frankley i dont care if they do away with it. i will just get a government job and fleece the flock that way.
Ms. K.
August 10th, 2009
10:42 pm
#1. If the meeting in Douglasville was truely to meet with those who will be impacted by the Hwy. 92 project, why weren’t the folks asked to prove their address and then eliminate everyone else?
#2. As David Scott’s constituents, we are ashamed of his behavior… shaking his finger at someone like a crabby old man yelling at the neighbor kids. How dignified is that for someone who is supposed to be representing the people??
#3. One issue which should get the attention of all those who can read: Black women have a greater chance of having breast cancer. If this bill is passed, there will be rationing and those women who have Medicaid, Medicare or whatever, they will not get the BEST CARE available, esp. those over 55. What about all the men with prostate cancer?
My husband has glaucoma and had laser surgery to halt the progress so he doesn’t go blind. With this plan, he would be denied treatment because he is too old…just go blind… and pay thousands for a caretaker.
Having worked in the health care industry I believe we need some changes but we don’t need a program run by the government. They can’t run anything. This is socialism. The program isn’t good enough for those in Congress and it isn’t good enough for the American people.
Vote Mr. Scott out!!
PAT FROM ELLENWOOD
August 10th, 2009
11:31 pm
In 1997, I found myself working temporary after working for the Olympics. I became ill and was hospitalized for a little more than one week. I had two procedures–kidney stones. I racked up medical, hospital and doctor bills totally close to $30,000. I also, fell behind in my mortgage payments. I had to file bankruptcy. I paid back all of the money over a five year period. Those payments to my trustee totalled almost $600 a \month on top of keeping up my monthly payments to my mortgage company. I had no credit card payments. The only debt I had were those medical bills. I am a taxpayer and I want health care reform. Why should misinformed folks dictate whether someone should receive medical assistance. The protestors say they don’t want government in their business–that’s a joke. The government is already in their business if they are receiving social security, medicare, Veterans benefits, unemployment insurance, prescription plan, etc. I could go on and on. Half of the protestors are supporting a cause they have no understanding. The politicians that are protesting too much government–are the very ones that are receiving big fat checks from the insurance companies. No, I don’t want more government. However, we now have insurance companies dictating whether they will cover some things and not others or you can get this prescription not the one you really need. Why should the insurance companies dictate to my doctor what kind of treatment they will pay for and which ones they will not. It’s insane. Folks stop listening to the talk radio or whatever you’re listening to and pick up the plan and read it for yourself. I would have respect for someone that has taken the time to read the bill. There are more than five or six different variations of the health care plan and some haven’t even come out of committee. So, what are you talking about. I believe the protests are for the folks that didn’t get their choice for the POTUS. The members of Congress that have tried to get the facts to us have been targeted for no reason other than to shut down progress and all its about is the fat cat insurance companies have spent a great deal to pay people like Oxendine and others to stall any kind of reform to our health care. I can remember not to long ago–the Members of Congress that fought back privatizing Social Security are the same ones some of you old fools are shouting down at these town hall meetings. If Bush had his way with Social Security you would be jumping out of windows or going back to work like some of the Madoff victims. JUST READ THE PLANS FOR YOURSELF!
Jackie Heldon
August 10th, 2009
11:49 pm
Nice try, Pat. You make some valid points, but the politicians working on this bill are not covered by this bill. I WANT JUST WHAT THEY HAVE! If it is good enough for them and it works, why not spread it right out for all of us? Why re-invent the wheel when they have a plan they like. They will not be affected one way or the other with what they are trying to push down our throats. Talk about streamlining the situation–it’s already in place and could be so easy.
Additionally, if that makes no sense, perhaps Social Security doesn’t either. They have been trying to solve that and they pay not the first cent into the program because they are on their own retirement program and not affected.
I don’t believe we need these yo-yos dictating what is best for us when they know nothing about it and have other privileges above and beyond those that put them in Washington.
Government taking over health insurance? Where will it end? They own the automobile companies now and now we have Cash for Clunkers where they pay the companies they own a huge stimulus. Hmmmm; sounds like government solving their problems with more money THAT WE HAVE TO PAY BACK. The deficit has loomed way out of control and the demise is near. It has to be paid back. We common taxpayers have to pay it back.
I don’t have the answer, but I don’t want government politicians telling me what I need in health insurance UNLESS they are on the same program. They wouldn’t be caught dead with this plan and we all know it, so why are we allowing it to happen? Write letters, call your representatives and don’t stop! They need to hear us.
Tracher
August 11th, 2009
12:38 am
i can tell the 49% of the comments here who make up Georgia’s growing number of non high school graduates. i cannot believe the obvious racism in so many of these comments. my god, you racist idiots. there is no socialized medicine involved in this plan. but we already have socialized medicine in this country – medicare. seriously, a little bit of research wouldn’t hurt anyone. you know what? race matters! it’s obvious by the number of comments about “the race card” and it’s obvious that at least half of this state is racist. so get over your racist selves.
Tracher
August 11th, 2009
12:41 am
also, if you think you have govt telling you how to live every darn minute of your life, you are truly the most ungrateful americans i have ever seen. you live with so many freedoms that you take advantage of daily. look at what is happening in iran or africa and you honestly think the govt controls your lives? shame on all you. leave this country if you think it’s so bad. just go. good riddance to all of you tyranny-crying racists. let’s see how much you like it somewhere else.
Tracher
August 11th, 2009
12:49 am
Please note that Alan made a threat against our President in his comment at 9:28pm by stating:
“Thankfully Obama Bin Laden will be OUT in three more years, or hopefully less.”
Please take appropriate steps to report this vile and hateful posting with me.
Chris Salzmann
August 11th, 2009
2:01 am
Keith August 10th, 2009 4:56 pm SAID: 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.
CHRIS SAYS: An example of the typical Republican nonsense that is so prevalent. OK, Keith, so what about these situations:
1) You’re unemployed because you got laid off?
2) You work for a smaller business that doesn’t offer health insurance?
3) You are caring for an ailing relative (under 63) who doesn’t have health insurance?
4) You have your own health insurance policy and you, your family or your child get turned down for treatment for a pre-existing conditions (after paying about $3-4000/month)?
C’mon, Keith, what’s the solution? “Get a job somewhere that offers it”? And Republicans claim that they support small businesses??? LMAO. Well, that lie gets exposed here.
Here are a few facts for idiots like yourself: Look them up because, unlike your Republican ignorance, these are facts:
1) The US of A spends over $6,000 per man, woman and child on health care. That’s TWICE more than Canada, UK, France, Germany or any other industrialized country. Are we getting better care for spending more than anyone else?
2) Over 25,000 Americans die in this country for lack if Health insurance.
3) Over 50% of all personal bankruptcies are due to medical expenses. Who ends up footing the bill for this?
Oh, if you need some unbiased facts about the health care reform bill, check http://www.factcheck.org
Unlike the anti-reform crowd that are ALL linked to insurance and health care corporate interests, this website is unbiased.
Chris Salzmann
August 11th, 2009
2:06 am
Alan August 10th, 2009 9:28 pm SAID: Thankfully Obama Bin Laden will be OUT in three more years, or hopefully less.
CHRIS SAYS: What happened, Alan? Not get enough moonshine at the local Klan gathering? Your first cousin turn you down again so now you’re out looking out for a visit from the Secret Service?
What a pathetic excuse of a human being…………….That’s what inbreeding will do to you.
KansasGirl
August 11th, 2009
3:38 am
I wonder if it is the SEIU that sent these racist faxes. Sounds fishy to me. I wouldn’t put anything past these thugs.
truth fighter
August 11th, 2009
6:27 am
Nancy Pelosi was right. It is so unAmerican to block free speech as these mobs have done. No matter how you frame it, the gentleman was unfair to Representative Scott. He had a right to be indignant. Anytime anyone stands up to them they yelp like a puppy with a tail. Now they protestors have abandoned the stars and stripes and favor their own DON’T TREAD ON ME FLAG that they pass out at rallies. We are no better now than the fifties and the sixties. And all the hatred is because we seek a way for all Americans to have access to healthcare.
Ernest
August 11th, 2009
7:39 am
A black racist whining about “racial overtones”. Is this a joke? Or does he mean “racial overtones” from the likes of the NAACP, the black caucus, LaRaza, the Hispanic caucus et al? Is that the bulls*** he is talking about??
Jo
August 11th, 2009
8:06 am
Chris, the Republicans have several ideas that would help reform healthcare without government healthcare. The Democrats refuse to allow them to participate. Everything they have put forward is voted down by the dems and then the dems say that the Republicans don’t have any ideas and the press refuses to cover what the Republicans say, they just spout the Dem talking points.
Their is a bill that has gone through committee but not voted through the entire house yet. It talks public option, but Obama as well as Barney Frank and other Dems have said that this is the way to single payer healthcare. Our congressmen have not read the bill and admit that they don’t because they can’t understand it. Some have read it and admit that they don’t understand it. How on earth can you vote on such a sweeping bill like this and not understand what you are voting on?
sharecropper
August 11th, 2009
9:09 am
Racial “undertones”? What in the world do you think the white crazies are code-speaking when they say “I want my country back”?
And is everybody convinced now that the vaunted “Southern courtesy” is and has always been a work of fiction? White Southerners can be nutty fruitcakes.
Your morning jolt: No one's granny will be put down, says Johnny Isakson | Political Insider
August 11th, 2009
9:17 am
[...] his worries about a racial undertone in the debate were noted in this space, U.S. Rep. David Scott, also an African-American Democrat from metro Atlanta, took aired his [...]
Captain
August 11th, 2009
10:30 am
You are shameful David Scott, shameful. I viewed your tirade, if anyone injected RACE into the debate it was you in Douglasville. You told the WHITE Doctor you were there for YOUR constituents, and he wasn’t one of them. However he is in your District. You owe him an apology.
Here’s a question for your Congressman Scott …. HAVE YOU PAID YOUR TAXES? If ever there was a situation which begs for legislation it is you. Nobody who is an elected official should be allowed to stay in office if that person owes taxes to the Government for which that person is an elected official. You vote on Tax Legislation, yet you don’t pay YOUR TAXES!!! Disgusting, and you sit there and vote to increas our taxes for the Nationalization of 18% of this country’s economy.
CONFEDERATED SOUTHERN GOP LOST IN SPACE
August 11th, 2009
11:27 am
THEY ARE RUNNING FROM THE FACTS. THE GOP HAS NO PLAN. EMPLOYEE BASE INSURANCE DAY ARE NUMBERED. PEOPLE IN THE KNOW KNOW THAT.GEORGIA WENT GOP NEVER FORGET THAT. ALL YOU SEE IS HELL RAISING . WHERE IS THE DIALOG. THEY IS NON. AGAIN OBAMA WANTS TO TALK BUT THE OTHER SIDE SAY HELL NO. THEY TALKING TO THEM IF THEY DON’T WANT TO REASON WE DON’T NEED THEM ALL WE NEED IS 51 VOTES IN THE SENATE NOT 60. THIS HAS SOME FEAR BUT MORE HATE FOR OBAMA THAN ANY THING. THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERATED GOP HAS VERY LITTLE REASONING MOST FEAR AND HATE . NO PLAN IS GOOD FOR THESE WING-NUTS. WE MUST MOVE WITH OUT THEM IF THEY HAVE NO REASONING AND WE CAN!!! MOST OF THE SOUTH DID NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA SO THIS PAR FOR THE COARSE. OBAMA IS NOT A SOCIALIST BUT JESUS WAS IF YOU READ THE WORD!!
Rover Dangerfield
August 11th, 2009
11:37 am
David Scott is a racist. That is all.
Someone
August 11th, 2009
12:31 pm
Rev. Aymer:
You stated in your post “Unfortunately, the rise of racial vitriol against an African American who refuses to vote the way a mob wishes him to vote is neither surprising nor particularly newsworthy.
Especially in Georgia”
Isn’t it the Congressman’s job to listen, answer questions AND represent the people that elected him?
D'ville Resident
August 11th, 2009
12:32 pm
Mr Scott said;
“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.”
So he was there only for the African Americans -Blacks?.
Because you are not a frequent visitor I will let you know Mr Scott, Douglasville is 80% white, They care too!
I wished your Democratic buddies knew how to draw lines, otherwise you would still be playing in South Atlanta
Kris
August 11th, 2009
12:33 pm
He sure did get what he deserved. Hopefully Scott, Jackson, and Sharpton will all be dead soon.
ken
August 11th, 2009
12:36 pm
As a white citizen of Fulton County and of the USA as well as the state of georgia. This is crazy and people are really looking at the ignorance and small minds of the GA CRACKERS..bottom line these are angry white people who cannot accept that a BLACK man is President. Get a life and move on. Am i a racist for calling out white people who never like to see themselves in the mirror? Think about it before you reply because i am a white man. Get educated.
SaveOurRepublic
August 11th, 2009
12:42 pm
This use of the fallacious race card is just a ploy to pressure submission to the Marxist mandate(s). The swastika “hate crime” was almost certainly a false-flag to prop up the “Racist” angle. Besides, the Nazis were Socialists. Awaken to the deception!!!
http://www.infowars.com
CONFEDERATED SOUTHERN GOP LOST IN SPACE
August 11th, 2009
12:43 pm
throw a rock and hide your hand gop are good at that!
bamabelle
August 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
I’m not from Atlanta but let me say this, the main people who are complaining about this offer no solutions to the problem just adding to it by going to meetings and disrupting them. You want your voices to be heard? How about listening first BEFORE offering up an opinion someone else gave you. The problem with a lot of this is most of the people complaining probably didn’t vote for Obama in the first place and probably haven’t read the bill themselves but because Rush, Sean or Sarah says it’s bad,then they agree with it not realizing as someone else has pointed out who was a conservative by the way that it’s Bluecross Blue Shield, Cobra and this other health care agencies who don’t want reform because quite frankly it creates competition among them and they will have to lower their rates. Why is that a bad thing? Why as a Americans do we continue to fight amongest ourselves for the few crumbs given to us and blame one another instead of turning our frustration on the people who deserve it the most and that is this big time companies who continue to screw us ALL over. WAKE UP!
Behind the Health Care Veil
August 11th, 2009
12:56 pm
Although there are some serious concerns about the health care debate, I think all this fierce outrage these White folks are expressing is really their hidden way to publicly express their RAGE about having a Black guy in the White House. It’s just veiled by the topic of health care.
I don’t like all of the plan I’ve heard; not even sure anyone knows what’s totally being proposed. But all this hostility and rage…? Be honest with yourselves people; it’s more than about the health care.
Voice of Reason #1
August 11th, 2009
1:02 pm
What’s wrong with a public option? The privately held insurance companies have jacked up health care for 20 years. It is the insurance companies that need to be yelled out. How come you protesters aren’t barking at THEM? And you can’t have a dialogue about anything when acting uncivilized like a wild baboon and being disrespectful to each other.
Georgia Office of Rep. Scott Defaced by Swastika - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com
August 11th, 2009
1:09 pm
[...] Scott, who is a member of both the Blue Dog Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday that he was concerned that the debate over health care reform was becoming racially tinged. Some [...]
TRUTH
August 11th, 2009
1:12 pm
This is truly amazing. How many of those who oppose Heathcare Reform actually voted for President Obama? I would venture to say “NONE.” You “sheep” or your collective term of “Real Americans,” of which is comprised primarily of southern, white Americans, have allowed yourselves to be manipulated by the very insurance companies that are fearful of a loss of profits (salaries, private clubs, and their vision of the status quo). You all have had a famaily member that has been subjected to the very industry that you blindly are defending. You scream from the talking points (o.k. let’s be honest here, most of you HAVE NOT read a talking point, however, the leader of your group has or is imitating another wingnut) that you do not want a beauracrat between you and your doctor. That’s laughable when the insurance company has a “consultant” that is clearly between you and your doctor and denies you much need treatment. But, you’re argument remains that it is not due our President’s race. Then let’s presume it’s not. The depictions of him with Hitler, or with a scicle and hammer, does that indicate Communist or Dictator? A leader of the Third Reich?? You’re stomping on the memory of our fallen soldiers when you do something like that? (You know WWII??), Or is it an attack on the Jewish? You suborn correspondence that is laced with racial ephitets and attacks on elected officials of color..why? What does any of their differing viewpoints have to do with their color? Healthcare effects each and every one of us. Black, White, Latino, and Asian. The Insurance industry does not give one iota of a damn that you’re either white or black or whatever. If that “consultant” denies your treatment, you are more prone to remain ill or worse die. That has nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with our rights as citizens. I have insurance, Thank God, however, I know that my insurance can be better with a system that offers competiveness. It can only help our financial health while getting the treatments that we need to continue to be here for our loved ones. This craziness of supporting a party that is being manipulated by the very industry that has allowed the deaths of so many of our citizens and family members by denying coverage, dropping those who have either pre-existing conditions, or have received treatment for a chronic illness, and then for them to be denied coverage from other agencies is beyond the realm of stupid. I was at Rep. hank Johnson’s Healthcare Town Hall last evening in Clarkston. I saw the determination of several groups, those who supported the reform, those who opposed it, those wh were there for inforamtion, and those who had no intention of allowing that exchange. As my wife and I stood there, a member of Freedom Works was passing out a 3X5 card that summed up the complexity of a bill that could greatly enhance the lives of millions of Americans, and I thought, what have we as a country been reduced too? We are no better than those countries that are in constant turmoil. Yet they have healthcare. We tout to be the strongest country on Earth, yet we have been allowed to be dictated too by Big Business (Banks/Insurance Companies). We have turned on one another and are allowing the media to control the message by inciting our divisions to violent levels. What have we become? Yet, the very issue at the base of all of this is race and trust. President Barak Obama is a multiracial person. He represents many races in his being. He, essentially, can be the best of all of us. If we stop attacking one another. He can lead this country, if we stop allowing those that want to see US fail. And, we can get our country back from the special interests which are only interested in themselves. Is that what you’re demonstrating for? In the end, you’ll be in need of the very thing that you stand against. Death Panels? Beauracratic denials of coverage? Nazis? Now, N-word? Swatizkas? It’s mindless and its ugly. Stop it. Just stop it.
Owl Gore
August 11th, 2009
1:17 pm
Anyone notice that the townhall did not become violent until Obama’s union thugs showed up? I know that the media wh@res dare not make the connection, but facts are facts. This “congressman” is a racist douche just like Skip Gates. The country is growing very weary of the race industry and good people are sick and tired of seeing the race card played at the drop of a hat. All this hate directed toeard “normal” Americans is going to bite the democrat party in the arse in 2010. Mark my words.
Big G
August 11th, 2009
1:18 pm
What these elected officals fail to remember is that they work for US. Congress is a cesspool of liars, thieves, inside traders, traitors, drunks (one who killed a staffer, yet is still revered), criminals,racists and other low level swine who, as individuals (not all, but many), will do anything to enhance their lives, fortunes and power, all at the expense of the People of the United States and its Constitution, in order to be continually re-elected.
All of your constituents have to right to free speach regardless of the the topic or forum. You failed to address the Doctor’s question, which was one that many in attendance wanted to hear your answer. If you creeps are going to cram MANDATORY HEALTH CARE down our throats, maybe the American people should be allowed to vote on it and not our corrupt Congress. WE NEED LESS GOVERNMENT, NOT MORE!!!!!!!!!!
If I were in your district, I’d vote you out of office, just as I will for all of the incumbents in my district.
TRUTH
August 11th, 2009
1:18 pm
Kris, Just saw your post. That’s the kind of statement that keeps us divided. You’ve won the Idiot Award, along with the other bigoted and racially challenged vermin.
Paul
August 11th, 2009
1:21 pm
Interesting. I recommend everyone see: http://www.sbpdl.com
xmascurio
August 11th, 2009
1:42 pm
Really, you think this is about race and a black man as President? Do you really think only blacks voted for Obama and put him in office? No, his platform of “hope and change” did that and a lot of whites voted for him as well. Well we are certainly getting the change, because all he and the democrats have done since getting into office is spend, spend, spend and have done it quickly, before anyone can say “wait a minute!”. What happened to “transparency”? what happened to letting the American people have access to these bills prior to them being voted on? What happened to looking forward, not backwards? Seems every time I hear our president speak he is reminding Americans that he didn’t make this mess, this is Bush and the Republicans mess — don’t blame me . . . . Really, that is what he calls “looking forward, not backwards”?
As usual, with politicians, they promise you the world and deliver exactly the opposite. It is our responsibility as citizens of these United States to speak up — why are those against Obamacare being called racists, and terriorists when we are just speaking out on what we believe? The democrats certainly spoke out when they didn’t agree with Bush and I don’t remember anyone calling them terrorists.
Yes, I am proud that we voted in a black president, but just because I don’t agree with him doesn’t mean I am a racist — I am so sick of hearing that card being played.
BeScared
August 11th, 2009
1:47 pm
All of you closet racists need to take the sheets out of the trunk of your cars. From all of the colored people you can keys hour aces.
Rev. Al Sharpton Jackson Frakhan Bin AL-Skyhook
August 11th, 2009
1:55 pm
Unfortunately, the lefties in this country see everything through the prism of race. Lefties are taught from the crib to put everyone in to boxes and once in the box…that’s it. I wonder if all the guilty whites that voted for Obama just because he was black are now happy. How is this post-racial era treating you guys? How is that hope and change working out.
Chris
August 11th, 2009
1:57 pm
To “KEN.” Did you know that Obama is just as white as he is black? I just love how everyone calls him the first “black” president when he is 50% white. He is just a terrible president which is why he is hated.