Hoyer booed at Town Hall meeting
Could Steny Hoyer possibly be so damn dumb as to make those who attended his
Town Hall Meeting wait for another hour while he presented a panel of "experts"?
Yes, folks, he is...
So maybe he isn't dumb, that would make him arrogant and elitist... or just calculating?
Thor Smith who has a home in Calvert County as well as
Gaithersburg, said he was ...well his tee shirt says it all.
"Proud member of the Angry Mob and I Vote"
ST. MARY'S TODAY photos
With a dozen TV cameras set up around the room, Hoyer was able to talk about thirty minutes, going through two different sign language interpreters in what he had promised to be only a fifteen minute speech. As Hoyer began to talk more, when the applause started from his partisans, the boos began to drown out the clapping.
ST. MARY'S TODAY photos
April Burke of Mechanicsville:
“We want the government out of our business now.”
Dr. Michael MaGee of Edgewater asked Hoyer what he was going to do about tort reform in Maryland in order to lower health care costs. Hoyer's answer was vague and ended with a promise to talk to his colleagues.
Scott Camper of Montgomery County sported this retort to the Obama Administration.
By Kenneth C. Rossignol
ST. MARY'S TODAY
WALDORF (Sept. 2, 2009) --- With the temperature in the large auditorium of the fairly new North Point High School in Waldorf set on about 50 degrees, it was just about certain that the night’s health care Town Hall that Congressman Steny Hoyer finally managed to put on would get off to a cool start.
A crowd of about enough folks to fill the hall which would seat 1,000 was standing in line before the 6 pm opening time and by 7 pm the hall was just about full.
At 7:05, the program appeared to be getting underway. But Hoyer had a surprise for everyone. Instead of getting to ask their Congressman questions, Hoyer pulled the old trick of wearing out the crowd with fabulous old fashioned BS.
This crowd had come out as early as 5 pm to get in line to come in the school and at 6 pm the doors opened but it would be 8 pm before the Crown Prince of Crapola would allow the King's Subjects to speak their mind.
Mike Whitson, a Democratic activist from Leonardtown was standing at the door greeting folks while the efficient staff of Congressman Hoyer were diligent in making sure attention was paid to all the small details.
At ten minutes after seven a smattering of cheers rang out as Hoyer appeared from a side door.
Quickly the cheers were drowned out by a loud chorus of boos, a sound of such intensity usually reserved for bad calls by umpires and referees at sporting events.
As Hoyer shook a few hands walking along the front row the boos diminished as he took the stage, then the booers gave it a big splash again.
Oddly enough Hoyer selected Jim Xinis the CEO of Calvert Hospital, (see our story Hospital Honchos Big Salaries add to High Cost of Health Care) to be the moderator and he soon showed he wasn’t neutral. Xinis failed to say that his salary was well over a half million dollars a year or that he has a golden parachute worth nearly two million, perhaps another reason that the health care costs are soaring. Xinis also sits on the board of directors of Care First, Maryland's largest health insurance company.
Xinis is a regular contributor to Hoyer, donating large sums in most every election cycle. (see box below)
While Calvert Hospital is making cuts in staff, no cuts in Xinis's salary have been announced. Just as most of the Orwellian government officials talk their doublespeak, Xinis also said he was neutral, and many just laughed. The outrageous hypocrisy of these overpaid dolts is amazing...they actually believe their own crap.
This so called neutral moderator is an overpaid fat cat, who in his job at Calvert Hospital is cutting the pay and eliminating the jobs of people who make ten dollars an hour while never giving up any of his executive perks. The Board of Directors of the hospital may be taking fancy trips and billing it all to the hospital, but that's another story in the Naked City.
As Hoyer began his stated 15 minute introduction he was not booed. Hoyer said that in all the years he has been in Congress, he has never had a town hall meeting this large.
He then began to make the case for reform for health care and spent a lot of time quoting from Republicans who have advocated for health reform. Hoyer quoted from Gov. Mike Huckabee, Gov. Mitt Romney, President Richard Nixon and Sen. John McCain.
Once again Hoyer said that if folks like the health care they have, they can keep it. What he didn’t say was that if government was running a large health care plan, then private insurance companies wouldn’t be able to compete.
When Hoyer asked for a show of hands for those in the Federal Employee health benefit plan, about 50 hands went up in the crowd. He said that plan was an example of a government run health plan.
As Hoyer began to explain the five different plans, he was interrupted by shouting from the peanut gallery in the rear. Many shouted that they didn't come to listen to a speech from a congressman they weren't really fond of and wanted to be able to ask questions.
Xinis chastised the shouters by saying they weren’t setting a good example for students in the crowd.
Hoyer’s fifteen minutes were now stretching into a half hour and frustrating the crowd who came to ask questions. More boos erupted, and no one seemed to have any cream pies handy, so Hoyer kept talking.
After Hoyer's Town Hall Meeting came apart at the seams, he could only blame his own stupidity and that of his staff.
The more that the Hoyer dog and pony show of health care monopolizing the time went on the more ticked off the crowd got, leading several members of the press to believe that was exactly what Hoyer wanted in order to show that folks who attended did so only to bellow and holler.
Finally, Hoyer's staged presentation of experts got off the stage and let the show go on, perhaps achieving the elevated state of anger that he desired.
April Burke of Mechanicsville said; "When you were on our local radio station you said you had not read the bill at the time, just a week ago, have you now had time to read the bill. My son and daughter in law are now covered by insurance even though they are out of work, why would I want the government in my business?"
Hoyer, "I have now read the bill, and you are on a government plan now, its state and not federal, unfortunately with the present plan, you have Cobra and you have to pay a hundred percent of that, but if you have lost your job, you may not be able to afford that".
April Burke: “We want the government out of our business now.”
Another questioner asked: “If this bill is so good, would you commit right now for every member of Congress and yourself right now?”
Hoyer said that everyone would be given a choice to choose what plan they want.
A union member who is retired and said he has the best health care in the world and wants everyone to have the same health care as him.
A Leonardtown man asked if how this plan would allow a small business to have a health plan it can afford for his 21 year old son who is now in the work place. At present his son only can be covered if he lives at home. “Its cheaper to put my son through college than it is to provide health care.”
Charley Paul, from Hollywood, Md. “We also have a son with three grandchildren and pays $800 a month and has a $5,000 deductible, we need a public option (loud boos).
Hoyer: I support a public option, it would give the insurance companies a competitive model.
Bob Richards of Lexington Park, Md. “You specifically pointed out Republicans who believe that all Americans should have health coverage but in this case there would there be coverage for illegal's."
Hoyer:" it is very clear here, that no illegal aliens would be covered. I think that all of us believe that when our brother or sister are in trouble, that they be covered, if someone is badly injured and taken to a hospital than they would be helped, Jesus told us to walk ….no illegal aliens are covered by this bill."
The next speaker came after Hoyer's recitation of Scripture (better not let those left wing Obama functionaries know he was talking about God)
"I am never ashamed to say I am represented by Steny Hoyer in the Congress. (Applause turns to boos.) To deny care is wrong and I am deeply concerned that if public option is not included. I am proud to see us moving towards health care reform".
(Applause turns to boos).
Dr. Michael MaGee of Edgewater asks Congressman Hoyer about tort reform.
Michael MaGee of Edgewater, a physician. “You have glossed over this before, what specific plan do you have to help implement tort reform in this plan and if you don’t have any specific plan, why not?”
Hoyer: “Doctor, this question has been raised in the past, and other states besides Maryland has yet to set a cap, there is a concern in the Congress. The fact of the matter is that there is a concern and if you cap economic damages and someone is hurt, medical bills might be paid but I say that you raise a serious issue and I intend to raise it with my colleagues.”
Collins Bailey (the GOP opponent of Hoyer in the last election) from Waldorf: "Do you see the proposed health care bill as needing a tax increase or an increase in the deficit?”
Hoyer: “Neither. President Obama was elected and inherited the worst economy on record, (boos). I know people don’t like to hear that. But it is true and a fact. We took some actions in the previous administration and now, I am very concerned about the debt load we are putting on my children and my grandchildren. This bill we have said it will be paid for and if its not paid for, I am not going to vote for it.”
One man took the microphone held by Hoyer Chief of Staff Terry Lierman and said: "I am pleased to be one of your constituents and like the good job you are doing for us and the Navy, it is clear that most people in this country don’t want to see health care reform. You said earlier this year that you would not override what appears to be a significant majority in this country. Have you changed your mind?”
Hoyer: "It's not a yes or no question, Max Baucus is the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and they have been working for the last six months to bring about a reconciliation process. Under the rules of the Senate , they will pass a bill that is adopted by the majority."
One man wanted to know: "Will the public plan pay for my 23 year old grandson?"
Hoyer: “No, it won’t pay for your grandson, depending on his income, he will be able to get on the plan".
Dick Sweetman of Dunkirk: “I am for health care reform but I am not for government health care reform. I am concerned about who is going to keep the Government honest? With social security and Medicare both going bankrupt, what makes you think that the government can run health care?”
Hoyer: "We need to look carefully at those programs, this program is going to be paid for."
("HOW?" Shouted many in the crowd)
Hoyer: "Taxation of benefits is being discussed, Social Security and Medicare needs to be addressed as I believe an overwhelming majority of Americans strongly support keeping it intact."
Laurel woman: "I want to apologize to the panel for some of the disrespect you have had to endure". (Boos). She said she was a health care worker who can’t afford insurance and thanked Hoyer for standing strong. Talked about a friend who is required to post a $600 payment up front for surgery she needs.
“I believe health care is a right, not a privilege.” (Loud boos). "I appreciate your support and hope you can convince as many congressmen as possible to pass this bill.”
Hoyer was called on the carpet for his remarks about town hall meetings being un-American. Hoyer went on to answer that he was not against the town hall meetings but only when some drown out others who are talking.
Steve Willing of St. Mary's County said that he was sitting behind a row of union members who were bused into the Waldorf meeting and every time someone said something about the bus leaving they began to get nervous.
"Every time someone said anything about unions they got up and cheered but it was clear to me that they weren't from here," said Willing.
A man wearing a Progressive Democrats of Maryland tee shirt was carrying around a roll of stickers proclaiming "health care now" and passing them out to people while Hoyer staff refused all those carrying signs from entering.
Stephanie Lundberg, press secretary to Hoyer told ST. MARY'S TODAY that it was a school rule banning signs. But the event was not a school event and Hoyer's staff had erected large signs in the auditorium listing the rules of decorum. Apparently it was Hoyer who had a problem with signs he didn't approve of, not a matter of allowing signs.
Mell Davis of La Plata said after the meeting: "The people he had on the panel were there to further his cause and I thought this town hall meeting was here for us the people, and with just one meeting for more 650,000 people in the last census then only one percent of the people could even attend. This should have been a question and answer session and he should have spent a lot less time talking. On top of that , the words health care do not even appear in the U.S. Constitution which he has taken an oath to uphold, and of course, its not even in article One section 8 which specifies the powers of Congress."
Your views are welcome! Send to READER FEEDBACK at staff1@stmarystoday.com
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Why are some newspapers blocking comments and shielding Hoyer and keeping readers from the truth?
READER FEEDBACK I just noticed that the "other" newspaper here in Southern Maryland, was not only one sided, but removed the comment box to allow any real feedback from people who were there, and I can't believe how glossed over the reporting was that I have just read from their paper. And just who was this CEO from Calvert Memorial, trying to tell people what they could or could not do? What in God's green earth gave him that kind of Authority, and whose pocket is he in? I have never witnessed such an outright show of suppression of free speech and the will of people. Wake-up America, something is very wrong here. As a former Marine, I would have gladly died for this country and the rights of our people, this in NOT what I fought for? It was ugly, staged, and a Disgrace. Whose truck trailers were those reading SEIU or whatever it was? Thanks for printing the truth and having the courage to do so. I guess that other paper is afraid of the "Wrath" Let it come; the voting polls we show how we feel about it.
VOTE America, vote.............
Michael Schofield
Reader sends some info on SEIU
Reader Feedback: The SEIU has been directly involved in political campaigns for legislation backed by Pres. Barrack Hussein Obama, and the U.S. Democratic Party. It has direct ties with the Teamsters, The Change to Win Federation, Canadian Labour Congress, Solidarity Charters with the AFL-CIO, and the United food and Commercial Workers to name a few. Its then President in 1995, John Sweeney, became the elected President of the AFL-CIO. It later claimed to break away but keeps solidarity Charters in place with local SEIU chapters. Also a SEIU Executive Board member ( Marshall Clemons) and a guest of Sen Joe Biden (at the time) , was attending the Iowa Statehouse during legislation and was arrested for theft of wallets from ladies in attendance. (This information is in Wikepedia) SEIU was contacted for comment and of course, none has ever been received. Wasn't there someone there last night named Sweeney?Look for yourself, this must have been some of the Wrath the Senator promised. Personally, I think it has backfired on him beyond any reconciliation.
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Mell Davis of La Plata said that Hoyer talked too much and his panel of experts were there just to further his cause.
Hoping for Health Care Now are Pearl Miller and Steve Kullen,
husband of
Maryland Del. Sue Kullen (D. Calvert)
At 6:57 pm, the hall is nearly full. A capacity
of 1,000 was advertised by Congressman Hoyer's office.
The line was out the door and down the sidewalk of North
Point High School in Waldorf. Those who wished to
speak were asked to get a ticket for a lottery number which
would be drawn for a question, rather than raising hands.
A number of the first 50 or so people in line all wore
pre-printed badges calling
for 'Health Care Now" while signs were banned from the school by Hoyer. Tee shirts, however, were allowed.
This man was ejected by police for unknown reasons.
Generous accommodations were made for the press along one side of the hall and some looked astonished to hear the loud booing when Hoyer first came in.
The glares given the media from the crowd as they walked by showed the contempt that most Americans feel for the press. That contempt may have been well earned as the day after Hoyer's Town Hall,
readers complained that the Washington Post owned local chain of Southern Maryland newspapers flavored the reporting to favor Hoyer and blocked comments from readers.
Hoyer's beginning was greeted with jeers, which he may not have deserved. But after bloviating for more than a half hour and then putting on a dog and pony show, he earned his crescendo of boos, which may be exactly what he wanted. Hoyer couldn't have been that stupid, in fact he is a clever guy.
