First of all, thanks to the Sheldon Heights Church of Christ for contributing their beautiful facility for tonight's town hall.
And thank you to the people of IL-02, who, even after all the distasteful teabagger activities at other townhalls, did not restrict entry into this event. Unlike my own republican congresswoman, who screens everyone she talks to ala GW Bush; Jesse Jackson Jr. and the people of his district are not afraid of public discourse.
I've tried to get to as many of these things as I can the past few weeks, but tonight was the first night I've been in a room of full of people who just know their Congressman and our President will do what needs to be done on health care.
A great crowd showed up for Mr. Jackson's townhall. I'm not sure what the police expected, but they were walking the neighborhood a few blocks away from the church, making sure they were seen in the nearby parking lots, and had several cars in front of the church.
But, the crowd was overwhelmingly pro-progressive agenda. No teabaggers present that I saw. Not one nasty sign and not one boo or interruption when someone was telling their healthcare story. Mr. Jackson insisted on this upfront, but I think it was unnecessary. As he pointed out to the CNN cameras in the room, the people of his district can discuss important topics and still be civil, unlike some.
Mr. Jackson had a slide show presentation and did a great job of explaining what various terms in this health care conversation mean. He told what HR3200 includes, and he went through the most frequently asked questions and misconceptions. It was an excellent presentation. People got to write their name and questions on a 3x5 card on the way in, and then Mr. Jackson answered as many as he could get through in the time allowed. Most of the questioners just wanted to make sure he was going to vote for a public option. His website has much of what he said at the townhall:
I checked just to be sure and don't see it up yet. He said it will be on his site, and I'll look again tomorrow & put it up then. jackson.house.gov
When time was almost up, Mr. Jackson said that anyone else who had questions or concerns could come up and speak with either him or any of his staff before they left for the night. That's something I hadn't seen before. He wanted to make sure everyone was well informed and there were no worries or concerns left unanswered. But, things had never been out of hand. It is the way all of these townhalls should have been working before Republicans and insurance industry hacks backed the disruption of as many meetings as they could infiltrate.
Several people wore Union tshirts - Steel Workers and SEIU were represented in the crowd, as well as a group of local nurses. But, it's the south side of Chicago, and these are the working people of the area.
Jackson did insist he will only vote for a public option. He mentioned that he was one of 100 representatives who signed a letter saying that they strongly favor a public option, and when I watched the news later I discovered that Representative Weiner also spoke of this letter today.
He said that Obama needs to get about the work of making sure all Americans have access to good health care, and then he said "we have your back." That drew one of many standing ovations.
If you haven't had the opportunity to get to a progressive democrat's townhall, I suggest you make the effort to get to one. After trying to find my own representative at a townhall that she refuses to hold, and after reading all the doom and gloom on this issue, it is just so refreshing to hear a progressive speak to a pro-health care room. It will give you a little lift to help you keep on working.