Thousands Rally In DC Against Health Care Bill
On the same day U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she had secured the votes to pass a health care bill (with a public option), thousands gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol to protest the measure and demand that lawmakers “kill the bill.”
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) was among several GOP lawmakers to address the crowd, with Bachman referring to the measure as “the crown jewel of socialism.”
“Republicans don’t have the votes to kill this bill as we were limited,” Bachman said. “But what was unlimited was the voice of the American people.”
Buoyed by election results earlier in the week that showed Democrats on the run, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint indicated the best was yet to come for the conservative agenda.
“You’re going to see an army of Americans fighting for freedom in this next election,” DeMint said.
The crowd was meant to serve as reminder to lawmakers of the Town Hall/ Tea Party movement that swept across the country earlier this summer – a populist uprising against the increasingly socialist policies coming out of the White House and the U.S. Congress.
The House of Representatives health care proposal – which will be voted on this Saturday – costs $1.2 trillion.
The bill is over 2,000 pages long, and will require 218 votes for passage.
Among South Carolina Congressmen, Republicans Henry Brown, Addison “Joe” Wilson, Gresham Barrett and Bob Inglis are all expected to vote against the measure while Democratic Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, who represents South Carolina’s minority-majority Sixth Congressional District, is expected to vote in favor of the bill.
The only uncertainty among the South Carolina delegation is U.S. Rep. John Spratt, who has sent confusing, conflicting signals as to where he stands on the legislation.
Spratt is being challenged in 2010 by S.C. Senator Mick Mulvaney, prompting many to view his vote on this legislation as an early indicator of his electoral plans.
Based on polling in the district, political observers believe that a “yes” vote from Spratt would be a sign that he is not planning on seeking a fifteenth term.
(click on the thumbnails for a larger image)
Pics: R. Swindler
Comments
By Mohanna on November 5th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
The protestors were bused in by big Health Insurance. This is not a grassroots protest, It is astro turf. But as a lifetime member of the Democratic Party, I’m enjoying this. The Conservative (right wing nuts) have threatened to kill all Moderate Republicans in 2010 and I applaud them. As Sun Zui said in the “Art Of War” “If your enemy is destroying themselves,don’t interfere”. LMAO
By Old Bike Dude on November 5th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
What is to be gained by denying health care to everyone?
By lilly on November 5th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Dude,
When your grandchild is pulled off a ventilator after 5 days because “the government just doesn’t have the money…” maybe you will re-think your position.
Health care will be rationed.
But don’t worry, at least abortions and sex change surgeries will be paid for by those of us law-abiding tax payers who are stupid enough to work.
By sid on November 5th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
That Sun Zui better have a good lawyer. I smell a copyright lawsuit.
By sid on November 6th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Mohanna,
Where did you read about the buses? I’ve looked at numerous news stories from numerous outlets (CNN, MSNBC, NYT, etc.), and none of them say anything about “big Health Insurance” providing buses. I’d love to read more about that, but I guess I’m just not so good at searching that darned Internet. Also, where did you read about that ominous threat? It seems so out of context considering the story. I thought that Republicans in the House were all going to oppose this bill, so why would there be such a threat? Please provide a source for these claims. I’m very eager to learn more about your perspective on this, and you seem to be so much better at finding stuff on the Internet.
By follydude on November 6th, 2009 at 8:20 am
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15?!? it’s always funny to hear “Old Yeller” go off about term limits, when it’s for somebody else’s representative. who’s been sending Spratt back that many times?
By Red Bank Bar on November 6th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Y’all have to remember Sidney’s tv tunes only to Faux News. Big Health Insurance covers their tracks by contributing to the AstroTurf Queen, Dick Armey. Armey’s “Freedom Works” paid for the buses.
Remember, these folks protesting yesterday are the same ones who believe the moon landing was faked, ‘rassling is real, etc, etc.
Just like their hero Glenn Beck, they’re leading the fight against mental health.
By All Health Care Out of Context on November 6th, 2009 at 9:36 am
The amount of bull crap coming from both sides of this story is amazing. Health Care needs to be reformed. If I have Flu-like symptoms and I call my family doctor I’m told I can’t be seen for two to three weeks. So I end up doing Urgent Care and it costs more than double the co-pay. It’s crap.
I don’t believe the other junk about how it will only get worse. Let’s face it…health care needs to be reformed. Is this the best measure? No. No one else has a plan. The Republicans are full of it…they’re more worried about the contributions than what’s best and the Dems don’t understand what needs to be done because they don’t have to worry with the coverage they get for being a member of Congress.
By Reality Check on November 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Mohanna,
It’s discouraging and upsetting that individuals like yourself refuse to believe that Americans came to the steps of the Capitol on their own accord and with their own incentives. People from all across the country visited us here in Washington to have their voices heard. We spoke with folks who literally drove hours to be here – with no relation to any insurance company. Americans have had enough and individuals from both parties came together yesterday to let it be known.
I also find it interesting that you are so convinced that this is simply a “wing-nut” movement and one that will ostracize a certain sector of the Republican Party. My friend, you could not be more wrong. The issues that are bringing folks together do not involve the social role of government – issues that would typically have a tendency to divide the party. Instead, these issues are based on two things: Less Government, More Freedom. Any American – Right, Left, Middle… whatever the case may be – can only take so much of the government using their hard-earned money to steal away their freedom; the time has come to say enough!
I encourage you to sit back and watch as Americans from both sides come together to save our Country and our Freedom.
-RS
By sid on November 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am
So, I guess RBB speaks for Mohanna? Good choice. He/she is really great at what he does. BTW, not only do I not get FOX on my television, but my reference was to articles on sites that don’t even have any of the letters f-o-x in them. So, RBB, where did you get your information, since you speak for Mohanna? I’m really, really interested in your perspective.
By K Trane on November 6th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I went to DC yesterday (cost $100 for my seat on a bus from Michigan) and met with Congressman Camp (co-author of the Republican bill) and Congressman Ingles. It seemed to me Ingles was opposed to the health care bill when I spoke with him. Is he really going to vote in favor of the Democrats’ bill?
By K Trane on November 6th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Woops… misread the article, ignore my last post. :)
By Objective Observer on November 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
“they don’t have to worry with the coverage they get for being a member of Congress.”
I agree with this 100%. Congress should be on a health care plan that average Americans are on, or at least the ones that have insurance. I bet they would fix the health care system in no time flat!
By wags101 on November 6th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
We don’t need or want a complete “refrom” to our healthcare system. I have employer based insurance and I am very happy with it. I don’t want any changes and there is always Medicaid for people who won’t or can’t afford insurance. So what “changes” are needed that America can afford? NONE! and certainly not 2 trillion dollars worth of change. If everyone wants to blame the insurance companies. lobby for change.
By Health Care on November 7th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Ialso find it interesting that you are so convinced that this is simply a “wing-nut” movement and one that will ostracize a certain sector of the Republican Party. My friend, you could not be more wrong
By ReaganomicsRule on November 13th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Mohanna “The protestors were bused in by big Health Insurance.”
Yeah right… compared to the government buses to get people to the polls with free chicken dinners and government run websites spamming lies about Big Insurance…solicitating the lazy … wake up Moronanna..
You Dummycrats ain’t got a clue… 2800$ MORE average a month per Legal citizen is crazy… that fixes nothing.
ALL WE NEED TO REFORM HEALTHCARE IS :
Tort Reform. Cap the lawyers at a fixed amount per case per year.
Remove the Border restrictions on insurance.
Charge More for people with pre-existing Conditions…
Charge More for Smokers.
Charge ALOT more for Drunk Drivers and Speeders who have been caught.
NOT some worthless Czar dispensing who and who does not get coverage.
NOT some red tape and lines.
NOT Abortion funding. (Birth control is BEFORE pregnancy not after)
NOT Detox and Drug User Programs.
NOT Government controlled moneypits.
By ReaganomicsRule on November 13th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Old Bike Dude:
“What is to be gained by denying health care to everyone?”
In a nutshell: Smaller government.
MORE power with the people and states.
A CHOICE on how much coverage they need.
MORE money in 85% of the country namely 2800$ more EACH!!!
Knowing you can get a Doctor when you want to … not have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment.
Additionally, RIGHT NOW you are not “Denied” healthcare…
YOU have EVERY right to get up off that lazy rear end and work and pay your insurance… to prepare for the day you get hurt and need it…
If you are denied healthcare because you don’t prepare and decide NOT to invest for your future then you DESERVE no coverage…you should have thought of that before you decide to remove your healthcare coverage because it is too expensive…
If you are an illegal you deserve to go back to your country, wait in thier lines and hope you get coverage from them …
AS people give INTO a society they should be allowed to BENEFIT from THEIR efforts… otherwise WHY should we work if the gov’t will pay me not to… EVENTUALLY More people will TAKE from the system then paying in… then you will have the mess like Social Security…