I couldn't get in because it was over capacity, so I stood outside and participated in the theater of American life. Seemed like 1/3 of the county police department was out as well as 2/3 of our collection of people who like to yell a lot.
What I learned (in no particular order):
1. There are a few - not many, but some - on the right who will discuss topics civilly...but all us lefties seemed to want to do is talk to everyone in small groups
2. Apparently I hate America...
a. ...and should leave it...
b. ..."move to a a socialist country like you know Canada or Europe"
3. Old people like to yell a lot - maybe it's b/c their Medicare supplied hearing aids don't work well?
4. Old people are very adept at making signs with letters stenciled in red or blue paint/marker on white oak tag.
5. None of above 'old people' who I asked would be willing to give up their own Medicare, Soc Sec benefits, or VA benefits...yet they all emphatically said they want govt out of health care.
6. Right = real good at organizing, busing, handing out signs, wearing political slogan t-shirts, carrying LOTS of flags, starting chants, and yelling down the politicians who attempted to address the crowd or police who tried to keep the stairway clear, or anytime a local news camera was flashed in front of their faces.
7. Left = not so good at any of the above
8. Health care reform will "SURELY give us death panels"?
9. That America has "the best health care in the world"?
10. That "the only people in America who are uninsured are those who want to be"?
11. That "Obama is a <insert any of the following: socialist, communist, fascist, racist, nazi, the devil>".
12. My favorite statement was out of the mouth of a guy (who told me that he owns a small pharmaceutical supply company) answering my question to him about why he opposes reform deep down inside - wait for it, wait for it... - He "doesn't want those people (you know, 'those people', right?) mixing with 'people like us'." Apparently 'those people' are "ruining" his America and he "wants to stop it." (He also told me at least 10 times that 'Atlas Shrugged' is the "best book ever written" - he didn't reply when I asked him "better than the bible?")
13. Apparently everyone protesting health care reform doesn't want "big gov't"
14. The government can't do anything right
a. ...except for the military
-ska todd
What I learned (in no particular order):
1. There are a few - not many, but some - on the right who will discuss topics civilly...but all us lefties seemed to want to do is talk to everyone in small groups
2. Apparently I hate America...
a. ...and should leave it...
b. ..."move to a a socialist country like you know Canada or Europe"
3. Old people like to yell a lot - maybe it's b/c their Medicare supplied hearing aids don't work well?
4. Old people are very adept at making signs with letters stenciled in red or blue paint/marker on white oak tag.
5. None of above 'old people' who I asked would be willing to give up their own Medicare, Soc Sec benefits, or VA benefits...yet they all emphatically said they want govt out of health care.
6. Right = real good at organizing, busing, handing out signs, wearing political slogan t-shirts, carrying LOTS of flags, starting chants, and yelling down the politicians who attempted to address the crowd or police who tried to keep the stairway clear, or anytime a local news camera was flashed in front of their faces.
7. Left = not so good at any of the above
8. Health care reform will "SURELY give us death panels"?
9. That America has "the best health care in the world"?
10. That "the only people in America who are uninsured are those who want to be"?
11. That "Obama is a <insert any of the following: socialist, communist, fascist, racist, nazi, the devil>".
12. My favorite statement was out of the mouth of a guy (who told me that he owns a small pharmaceutical supply company) answering my question to him about why he opposes reform deep down inside - wait for it, wait for it... - He "doesn't want those people (you know, 'those people', right?) mixing with 'people like us'." Apparently 'those people' are "ruining" his America and he "wants to stop it." (He also told me at least 10 times that 'Atlas Shrugged' is the "best book ever written" - he didn't reply when I asked him "better than the bible?")
13. Apparently everyone protesting health care reform doesn't want "big gov't"
14. The government can't do anything right
a. ...except for the military
-ska todd