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In reply to the discussion: Sorry, but I don't buy the "But we couldn't have gotten single-payer" defense [View all]karynnj
(60,414 posts)The chair (with input from others) invites the people to testify and the committee members are there to ask questions.
You are correct in saying that for them to come and speak out of turn -- and they like all people viewing the hearing have no turn to speak. This was civil disobedience and they did it completely aware that they would be kicked out.
There is NO way the committee could do the work they planned to do IF they gave the audience unlimited time to speak. All of these people could try to schedule time to speak with their representatives.
The fact is the Senators were not unaware of what single payer was, they knew it could not pass. They had what was a limited time to investigate various options that were in the space from which a bill that could pass would come. (In fact, they did float Medicare buy-in for those over 55, but as soon as Lieberman said no - it was not viable.)
There are forums where everyone has the right to speak - a committee hearing in the Senate is not one of the places.
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