Anger simmers at town halls (Held by Ne. freshman Senator Johanns-R)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20090815/NEWS01/708159922

By Robynn Tysver
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. — Angry but polite Nebraskans.

Droves of people, many of them elderly and many concerned that their health care could be rationed by the government, peppered U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns with questions about health care reform at town hall meetings this week.

Unlike the raucous gatherings in other states, Johanns' meetings in Norfolk and South Sioux City were lessons in civility.

There was no shouting. No one was hung in effigy. And Johanns — who opposes President Barack Obama's health plan — chose his words carefully.

Still, people were angry.

One middle-aged man referred to the proposed health care plan as a “boondoggle,” while a woman asked Johanns if the states could “nullify'' any health care law passed by Congress.

FULL story at link.

[mainer]

1. I'm beginning to think it's not ignorance. It's selfishness.

The elders at these town halls are incensed that anyone might touch their Medicare. Translation: "I got mine. I don't give a shit about you."

Yep, it's those greedy geezers back again. They've got their medical care, and they're ready to kick everyone else under the bus. They're the greatest generation, doncha know, and the younger generation? Let them go bankrupt.

And lest you want to throw rocks at me for being ageist, trust me, I'm approaching geezerhood myself.

[ejpoeta]

4. no, i'm not going to throw rocks. these people are scared... how many of them are retired

and dependent on medicare and possibly SSI. They are afraid for themselves, because if they had to go out and find a job, they would have a hard time finding one. They are scared... and they are scared because of the lies being spread by faux news and limbaugh and all those idiots who make millions and sit on their fat asses and laugh all the way to the bank. too bad these people and the rest of their audience don't friggin see that.

I am convinced that these people think that somehow they are one of them... one of the wealthy that obama wants to tax to pay for things. My own siblings... They don't make that much, but I am convinced that they think they are on the other side of the divide.... people like limbaugh and hannity and the folks at faux news lead them to believe that they are part of the group that is well to do. These people could be dirt poor and have nothing, but they think that they are part of the club.... and anyone in that club is going to get taxed. What they don't realize though, is that they are no different than women or blacks or hispanics that are part of that club.... They are laughed at when they are not looking. And the only thing people like limbaugh and hannity would let them do were they allowed in is to clean up their shit....

When the middle class is gone... if they succeed, when the middle class is gone, I firmly believe that these folks who think they're in... they think they are going to be on the other side with the rich people.... But they won't. they'll be sitting here in the mud and muck with the rest of us. I wish they could just see that.

[OHdem10]

5. Could it be, that this thing has been handled badly. No explanation

to Seniors when they have figured out with the help of
Conservatives some of them are going to be paying a lot
more for the same services. By Democrats not spelling
out in Detail how this would affect Seniors, they left
a vacuum and the Conservatives filled it.

Just saying Medicare will be better is no consolation.

If they go on Medicare in some states where many Doctors
do not accept Medicare Patients, this is not much of an
option. Around Columbus Ohio you can go into Doctor's
office after Doctor's office and there are signs Medicare
not accepted. There is nothing wrong with Medicare except
the Government has a poor track record of underpaying Doctors.
Even one of Obama's Science Panel Advisors emphsized
Underpayment of Doctors on C. Rose.

There are a lot of things that needed to be ironed out
and fixed in the old program.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. It's fear

They are scared to death. Of change, and of a younger generation that has more power than they do.

[ejpoeta]

9. they are afraid of being put out to pasture.... being pushed aside...

nevermind that the republicans were wanting to push them aside. where would the be right now if bush had gotten his way with social security??? they think it's bad now??? where would they be without their social security at least.

[OHdem10]

2. Cong Ross, ARK--Large Group Noisy at times but he controlled

the situation. His approach. First, he distanced himself
from Obama and Pelosi. That made them happy. He also
explained how he was able to delay the vote: Applause
He promised he would not vote for it if one dime went
to make Deficit larger. Some in his audience wished
he had "killed" the bill. By distancing himself from Obama
and Pelosi and explaining his approach and promising not
to vote for it if it was not paid for, he left them calm \but
not all were happy.

[ejpoeta]

3. what if someone asked these seniors..... do you have kids??? grandkids???

do you want them to be able to go see a doctor if they need to???? do you want them to have access to healthcare??? what if they lose their job??? we all have things that run in our family. what if they lose their job and can't get insurance?? do you have any idea how many people just like YOUR kids end up going bankrupt because of an illness and they find out their insurance has all these surprises for them like caps and deductibles and are very skilled at denying coverage. Because when you are fighting against these reforms, which WON'T affect you like you think they will.... you are hurting your own kids and grandkids. You are making it harder for THEIR future....

And almost anyone could be asked what will you do if you lose your job. Depending on the state, couldn't you explain to them that if they lose their job and they have a pre-existing condition as minor as gall stones they could have a hard time getting insurance right now. Especially a middle aged guy..... Right when you are at a point... you've been paying into the system you whole adult life... You've done everything right. But all it takes is one illness... a heart attack.... a stroke.... an accident fixing the roof on your house.... You expect the insurance to be there since you've paid into it all this time. Do you really think it will be??? Look around you... pay attention. 15,000 people a DAY are losing their insurance. how many people went bankrupt this year alone because of medical bills.... and how many were insured.... It's like you are playing russian roulette with your life here. And you want to give the insurance companies another bullet to put in that gun???

[mrcheerful]

6. There lays the problem, those who make up the rabid right believe none of these bad things you

mention will ever happen to them because god fixes it all for them. It is all about the next guy not getting his, why should he that guy isn't as special as I am. Same with the reasons they worked hard all their lives and never got rich, it wasn't that their wages couldn't keep up with the cost of living, nope it was they were taxed to much so others could get a free ride on welfare or elses they would be one of the beautiful people living the life.

Health care rights?, well they know for a fact that somehow some way they are going to have to pay for it, never mind it will be their fearless leaders that screws it up, nope now we can blame liberals and democrats for the lazy getting free stuff. Hell listen to the nit wits, the economy only got bad in the last 7 months, everything was dandy before and if it wasn't for Obama everything would be fine. You can't fix stupid when stupid thinks its not broke.

[ejpoeta]

8. yes, my brother has made that statement about this being obama's fault...

nevermind that the economy went down BEFORE he ever got there.... It was BEFORE the election... because remember mccain famously suspended his campaign to go back to washington because he apparently can't do more than one thing at a time. He stiffed dave letterman. LOL! what a mistake for him to do THAT!! It's ridiculous these arguments... but you are right, that makes them able to try to pin it on someone but them. funny all that talk about personal responsibility never seems to find it's way to their door... they are perfectly willing to blame someone else for everything.