I just got back from a health care town hall with Rep. Nick Rahall. I didn't stay for the whole thing, but my impression of the sizable crowd was 50/50 misinformed vs pro health care.
One thing that is now more than an impression (I couldn't get a def. position when I called his office earlier) is that Rahall supports HR 3200. However, while he said, "I would hate to" vote for a bill without a pub. opt. he would do so because getting any reform at all is better than throwing out the bill. I don't agree with him on that - a bill w/o a pub. opt. would be worthless. Still, it is good to know where he stands.
He also seemed prepared for tea baggers. He was no Barney Frank, but he did push back on misinformation spouted about the bill and the public option.
Another thing, everybody in charge of putting on this shindig seemed ready for trouble, even the gent who gave the opening prayer. I know this because he prayed for wisdom to find a way to work together to care for those in need and an end to divisiveness. Bwah! Obviously One of Ours. The prayer was very lovely. I wish I could have written it down word for word, not only to share the beauty with you, but because he was saying things I wanted to say, only much better. I really wish I could have cribbed off him.
Nevertheless, I spoke my much poorer piece in favor of health care for all, stating that I wanted our nation to be a truly Christian nation by loving our neighbors and caring for one another. I also said that while the government doesn't do everything right, it doesn't do everything wrong, either, and I did not know of any other institution with the infrastructure and the buying power to insure 47 million people.
They kept their mouths shut for the Christian part, but when I said "government" the hooting started. Rep. Rahall spoke appreciatively about my comment, calling it heartfelt, and saying something to the effect that it was too bad that people wanted to shout over it. Yay team! The "you go girl" and "thanks" I got whispered to me as I passed back up the line to leave were heartening as well.
However, I was guilty of some shouting myself while standing in line to speak. A man ahead of me mentioned a problem with reform from seeing something on Fox Headline (so-called) News. I managed to catch a lull in the chatter that the Lord provided right about then to yell "Fox "news" is the problem!" I got cheers as well as disapproval. Somebody behind me muttered that I should watch Fox (probably the Very Republican African-American gentleman - I always notice those, just like I would notice a double-headed cyclops). I didn't mutter when I said twice that I'd rather die than watch Fox. One thing that bugged the tar out of me was his ability to clap really sharp and loud. Why is it that right wingers seemingly can clap and cheer louder than liberals/progressives? I tried hard to make my clapping loud and sharp, too, but I suspect it sounded like someone gently patting a pile of marshmallows. So, anyway, I wasn't totally a good girl myself, but at least I didn't yell while anybody was actually addressing Rep. Rahall. And to be fair, since I am one of those terrist-lovin' commie libruls and all, some of the Obviously Republican folks ahead of me made their points to Rep. Rahall with perfect politeness and respect.
Now, I know it isn't very separation-of-church-and-state of me to make my point to Rep. Rahall like I did, but it is my deepest down reason for supporting health care payment reform - I want our nation to emulate Christ in being humane and caring for the least of us. Besides, it is very good politics here in Bible Belt West Virginia. That said, I wouldn't give a rat's patootie if final health care payment reform was developed strictly by atheists, Muslims, or Rastafarians, as long as everybody can go to the doctor when they need to...like the story I was told while we were waiting in line for Town Hall tickets.
A woman told me about her husband. They were in Germany when he fell ill with heart trouble. He had to have an MRI, a stent placed, etc. The whole heart attack nine yards. When he was discharged from the hospital, the personnel apologized to them for charging them 60 dollars. I have read Jerome a Paris' diaries and watched Sicko, but stories like this still have the power to make my breath catch and my arms tingle. To make sure I heard right, I asked her, "Sixty dollars and he's not German?" She repeated "60 dollars" and "American".
I long for the wonderful day when anyone in this country, citizen or not, can get health care like this man did in Germany, but sometimes I fear that propaganda will hold sway. In the meantime, I will keep praying - and speaking out when I can get my nerve up.