Over the past week, Courage and One Nerve Left attended 3 of the 24 local town hall forums sponsored by Representative Pete Visclosky. Each of the forums was scripted in the same manner; submit cards with questions for the Congressman, while he shuffles through the questions, a local high academic 8th grader gives the bio of the Congressman.
The next 45 minutes Visclosky took the floor touting the wonderful things has done for the area; he is in full campaign mode with far too many “I” statements. When he did direct statements toward the state of the nation he was quick to blame previous administrations; namely Bush. This was predictable, given that the current crop of Dems can not seem to find anything but virtuous intent in their own actions. The remaining 40 minutes or so was used to read and answer the questions which were submitted. Often his answers would flow in to expanded rhetoric which only vaguely answered the original question and left the audience unsure of the reasoning. This point was evident with the numerous times individuals in the audience would say right before he moved on to the next question, “you didn’t answer the question.” After the second of these forums, it was obvious that he would not debate the merits of his positions which frustrated the audience and us.
Being proactive sort of people, prior to the third event we hastily wrote up a sheet called “We-The-People Speak: Rebuttal to previous town forums held by Representative Visclosky” and handed then out at the door of the event. The sheet was based on previous statements which either went unchallenged during the event because they were offered during the 45 minute “I’m a great guy” beginning segment or statements which were either ignored or rhetorically tossed aside.
Here’s our rebuttal: With some minor corrections for clarity and typos,
As Americans we have become numb to questioning the statements of elected officials, sadly we accept their statements as truth; without delving in to the reality behind the sound bites, we miss opportunities to understand the ramifications of their words. This information is presented to challenge the norm and offer additional thoughts on statements by the Representative.
Continually through these forums the Representative has stated, the health care legislation as it is proposed is “not a perfect bill, it was written by humans.” This legislation mandates an overhaul of 1/6th of the United States economy. What Visclosky is attempting to do in highlighting the fact of humans imperfection, prevents honest debate over the aspects of the bill which violate our rights as citizens. An acknowledged “imperfect” bill should not be mandated to the American public which will be subjected to the unseen ramifications upon its passage.
“The injury which may possibly be done by defeating a few good laws, will be amply compensated by the advantage of preventing a number of bad ones.” Alexander Hamilton
“You do not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in the light of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly administered.” Lyndon B. Johnson
Continually Visclosky has cited the trillion dollars of debt accumulated by the Bush administration, what he fails to acknowledge that in the last two years of that administration the Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate. He also rightfully credits the Clinton administration for a balanced budget, yet fails to acknowledge that the Republicans controlled both the House and Senate during this period. Visclosky does not acknowledge that since the first of the year the deficit has increased times 4, threatening the value of the dollar while pushing us and future generations toward financial ruin.
Continually Visclosky has stated the House version is “paid for” as stated by “the CBO.” Conveniently forgotten in Visclosky’s analysis is the maneuver used by House Democrats which removed the payment for doctors from the final draft of the bill. The payment for doctors who accept Medicare and Medicaid will be addressed in stand alone legislation (Doctor Fix legislation.) This ploy by Democrats to circumvent the actual cost of the bill, creates the illusion of fiscal neutrality and does not truly represent the actual cost of the proposed bill.
When challenged on the Constitutionality of health care legislation, in Gary he stated that individuals have redress through the courts, ignoring that this would be cost prohibitive for a vast majority of Americans. When questioned in Hobart regarding his oath of office to “support and defend the Constitution” and how this oath related to health care proposals he stated, the United States already has programs which surround health care, the VA, Medicare, Medicaid. When it was pointed out that these programs are not mandates, nor do they require an individual to purchase anything from a private company, let alone under threat of fine or jail, he was silent. Then it was stated that this would be like the federal government deciding that GM needed help and mandating that all US citizens must buy a car or face jail or fine. These are serious questions and deserve answers. What authority granted Congress, through the Constitution mandates or allows for legislation that requires individuals to purchase any item from a private company?
Continually Visclosky has supported “Infrastructure” stimulus money allocation. Infrastructure projects are primarily defined as those dealing with roads, bridges, utilities and water. A vast majority of these jobs involve highly specialized job training, often multi-year apprenticeships which are doled out and controlled through union organizations. These jobs do not address the vast number of unemployed workers in the United States; they focus on a select small number of union employees. A government agency, the Small Business Administration (SBA) states that just over half of all employees are employed by small businesses. Why is Congress not looking to assist small businesses with possible tax credits and instead focusing on money going to Infrastructure projects which most individuals will never find employment in?
During the Hobart forum, a veteran who assists other veterans in receiving health care from the local Lake county VA stated, “Vets have to wait 6 months for a doctor’s appointment.” This is a disgrace to the valor and sacrifice these individuals have willingly given to their country. Representative Visclosky never addressed this issue; outside of saying it was wrong. Uttering it is “wrong,” underscores the disconnect between what elected officials see and what is occurring in real life. This is shameful !
Locally, those who have served our country have to wait 6 months to seek see a doctor, which vividly displays the incompetency of government run anything. How long will citizens have to wait for a doctor’s appointment if the proposed health care legislation is passed?
In the Hobart forum, Visclosky stated that with an increase of possibly 47 million to the health care system there may be a shortage of doctors. How will this not lead to rationing and long waits for health care? In an Investor Business Daily poll from September of last year; 45% of doctors surveyed stated they would consider retiring IF the present health care legislation was passed, if even only 10% quit what will this do to an already overloaded system?
Responding to the Post Tribune article on January 13, 2010
The bias in reporting on Representative Visclosky ‘s Hobart forum by Post Tribune reporter Michael Gonzalez was evident in his opening sentence of the article entitled “ Hobart forum boasts information, not vitriol.” Did this reporter poll the 100 plus attendees of the forum to determine who amongst its members considered themselves “tea partiers or self proclaimed patriots?” His blatant attempt to define those embracing these self-descriptions displayed a lack in understanding of the fundamental definition of their meaning. An Oxford dictionary definition may help this confused reporter in understanding the term “patriot.” Patriot: a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. A patriot is an individual who will voice their concern over a government which ignores the people; the concern they display may be unique to the individual, it is not the emotion or temperament behind the concern which defines the patriot but rather the content of their speech. As an attendee to the Hobart forum, I personally witnessed many patriots at the event. The fact was evident in the expressed concern over issues ranging from immigration control, the Constitutionality of the proposed health care legislation, the escalating federal debt and the 6 month wait for a doctor visit which local veterans experience with the VA. Patriots where evident at the Hobart forum, if you understand the most basic concept of patriotism or the concepts which have galvanized the tea party movement: Fiscal responsibility by the federal government, accountability of elected officials, restraints on federal mandates and elected officials who honor their oath of office to defend and support the Constitution of this great country. I am a patriot and I was there.
++++++++++
Like many of the individuals who attended these forums, we felt frustration at the lack of answers and exercised our First Amendment rights in the most proactive means possible. At two of the events we had individuals come up to us and thank us for speaking out. A couple stated they had voted for Obama in the last election; either because of their desire to end the war or because they bought the “hope and change” mantra.. in each instance they expressed regret.
As Americans we have neglected to be fully aware of the hyperbole which politicians use; we become enamored with the shine and gloss without fully questioning the meaning behind the words which flow so easily from their mouths. Americans are waking up, which reminds me of three quotes:
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it. -Thomas Paine
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. –Thomas Jefferson
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. – Abraham Lincoln