3 Tough Questions for MN Rep Betty McCollum :
1 )A Republican stood, and asked a young man to take down his "Obama Socialist Joker"-sign at last night's, MN Rep Betty McCollum's Health Care Forum. But the sign holder refused, he would steadfastly hold it aloft for the whole 90 minutes.
- Are we ramming a bill through Congress???
- Are immigrants covered by any version of the current Health Reform bills?
Recorded 8/31/09 at her Health Care Forum, Macalester College Chapel, St Paul Mn.
I recently attended MN Representatives Michele Bachmann's and Betty McCollum's Health Care Forums. Both, were rather heated.
At Michele Bachman's, there was a very large crowd, and I would guess it was 60-40/70-30 hers. There was much shouting. Near me, a man repeatedly said : "sit down Acorn!" whenever someone identified themselves as a liberal. I'll be honest, at the Bachmann event, both sides interrupted the other. And to her credit, Bachmann repeatedly urged those in the room to let the person speak.
A week later, when I attended Betty McCollum's Forum, people were still upset, but this time it took place in the Macalester College Chapel, which may have calmed a few. All were told, "they could bring in signs, if the weren't on a stick". This meeting, was better run. Perhaps, because Betty has taken some real heat from Tea Baggers, and she'd given it some thought.
All in the room had a ticket with a number on it, and the numbers would be drawn at random, and the questioner given two minutes. At the Bachmann forum, both sides at the mike, had questions that went on for over 5 minutes with no apparent question. I'll be honest, I was there to hear what Michele had to say, so I wanted questions out of people, not wandering emotional rants.
Anyway, an appeal to civility.
Really.
The night's golden moment for me, was this one. When a Republican stood up, and at the start of his question, he asked a young man to take down his "Obama-Joker-Socialist" sign.
Here it is on video : Republican, asks signholder to take down "Obama Joker Socialist sign".
But here are two other pertinent questions Betty McCollum fields :
Are we ramming a bill through congress?
Are ramming a bill through congress? YouTube
And, are immigrants covered? Many Republicans charge they are, and as she points out, they are not.
Are immigrants covered?
I was very impressed with not only what Betty said, but her whole demeanor that controlled the rather heated crowd.
Recently, she was ambushed by Tea Baggers, and she may have been a bit weary, of letting them take over her Health Care Forum.
Minnpost : Tea Baggers visit McCollum.