A Bubble of Anger Pops in a Sea of Calm

Is the anger displayed at the Town Halls real or manufactured?  And is the anger directed towards health care reform or towards America’s first black president?

Having observed and followed recent events, I believe the anger is both real AND manufactured.  It is safe to say that conservative and health care industry groups  (notice how they go together like chocolate and peanut butter?)  have manufactured a large portion of the anger.  Some of the citizens have probably been paid to be angry.

So of those that are really angry, what are they angry about?

Some are really angry about perceived negative impacts to their health care.  The conservative and health care industry groups have done a great job so far of spreading lies and fear.

The rest are just plain racist.  For them it boils down to one or both of these points:

• The President is black, they would deny him any positive change though it cost them their money and lives.
• They believe the uninsured group of Americans are minorities and are undeserving.

The funny thing about the second point above, is that largest group of uninsured citizens in the United States of America are ethnic Whites.  Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face.

What I find interesting is that the conservative and health care industry groups are actively using these racists and nut jobs to further their political agenda.  Is it smart, or is it desperate?

It reminds me of the old saying, “Live by the sword, die by the sword.”  Although I fear no conflict, I hope I am no where near these folks when lightning strikes.

Health (Insurance) Care Reform Town Hall in Oxon Hill Maryland

You’ve seen the ugliness in the news. But the fools did not get much of a chance at last night’s town hall hosted by Donna Edwards.  These are my observations.

As I drove in the library parking lot with my daughter, I immediately noticed a large police presence. So it was not unexpected when I found them peppered throughout the library as we walked to the meeting area.

Congresswoman Edwards serves the 4th District of Maryland. African Americans represent approximately 56% of the population in the district. Their approximate representation in Oxon Hill where the town hall was held, is 86%. So it was no surprise to see a very large turnout of African Americans.

I was sure to wear my Obama t-shirt, to clearly identify my allegiance, should mayhem have broken out.

I stood in the back of the room with my daughter on my shoulders, we arrived a few minutes late due to the congestion on the beltway.

What did seem odd in the meeting room, is that the first 2 to 3 rows of chairs were filled with older whites. Unlike the rancorous hilly billy types shown by the media in other town halls, these seemed better dressed and a bit more respectful.

Edwards expertly addressed the impacts of the proposed health care reform legislation to the room.

At one point she asked the room to raise their hands if their adjusted income was $500,000 or greater. Two of the old white men raised their hands. One of them looked clearly agitated.

Edwards later opened the floor to questions, but asked that comments and questions remain respectful. The room resoundingly agreed, except for the first 2 to 3 rows. I did not see any nodding heads in that area of the room.

Unfortunately my daughter and I had to leave early to go to Union Station. But I am sure the first 2 to 3 rows behaved themselves last night.