Senator Wyden's Townhall in Grants Pass, OR

Allen Hallmark Speaks Truth to Power, 15.11.2009 03:54

I attended Ron Wyden's Town Hall in Grants Pass today and it was a far different scene from the one he had in Medford in August. The "tea baggers" didn't show up in any force, although there were plenty of retired military folks and conservatives in the audience that maybe numbered 150 folks. As he did in Medford, Wyden began by honoring a bunch of mostly World War II vets who came in their VFW and American Legion finery.

They handed out tickets to those who wanted to speak and lo and behold, mine was the first one selected. So, I said something to this effect:

Senator Ron Wyden

"Thank you, Senator Wyden, for holding a town hall meeting in every county in Oregon every year. That's something of which you should be very proud. What I want you to know is that I'm proud to be an American. I'm a veteran who served in Vietnam. America is a great nation, but I feel that it is not nearly as great a nation as it could be. For instance, we badly need to reform our health care system and make sure that every American has access to excellent health care. I recently returned from a vacation in France where I got a chance to observe that country's health care system first-hand.

"My traveling companion had a eye problem and he went to see a French doctor and got in to see him almost immediately and got excellent care. We also spoke with a young couple who are friends of my traveling companion. The young woman recently had a baby and all the costs before, during and after the birth were taken care of by the French health care system. They were very happy with the plan their nation provides. I would very much like to be proud of America's health care system.

"Now, I know that reforming our health care program is going to be very expensive. In my view the best way to pay for this would be to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as quickly as possible and to bring our troops home. (Several boos from the direction of the honorees erupted when I said this, but I was nearly done anyway.)

"Thank you very much, Senator Wyden, for you attention."

There was much more I could have said and wish I would have said, but I think I got my basic ideas across and it felt pretty good. It was very difficult for me to understand much of what Wyden said because the acoustics in the Grants Pass High School Gym are not good for my hearing aids. But I did catch him pooh-pooh the French system, saying that we need a plan that is uniquely American (or words to that effect.)

--Allen

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Ron Wyden has been bought and paid for! 15.11.2009 - 04:05 Senator Ron Wyden has shown a strong tilt towards corporate healthcare. It is no surprise to find out how much money has been spent for this influence... While we all know that the United State's Supreme Court has ruled that money equals free speech, when it comes to corporate healthcare that money buys death for ordinary people. SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** SHAMEFUL ** WYDEN VOTES FOR PROFIT OVER PEOPLE ** WYDEN VOTES FOR PROFIT OVER PEOPLE ** WYDEN VOTES FOR PROFIT OVER PEOPLE ** CORPORATE HEALTH CARE BUYS PRIVILEGE> Homepage:: http:// Thank you Allen 17.11.2009 - 01:21 Thank you, Allan, for going to the meeting and voicing your opinion. I share it. Some of my friends in Grants Pass have no health insurance because they cannot afford it. They are hardworking, home owners, contributing members of society whose future financial security could be wiped out by a single illness or accident simply because health insurance has become unaffordable. They are hoping that they can limp along (in one case, literally) until they are old enough to qualify for Medicare - that uniquely American health insurance system. Perhaps Senator Wyden was speaking of a Medicare-for-All health plan. I know am just dreaming, but one can hope. Susan> Homepage:: http://