by Mike08
Massachusetts is thank goodness, a very liberal state. Here we are of course represented by Senators Kennedy and Kerry and a for the most part liberal, all Democratic congressional delegation. Our African-American Governor Deval Patrick went to Harvard Law with Barack Obama. Both houses of our state legislature have been majority Democratic for many years now. We were so famously the first state to legalize same sex marriage. We have an, albeit weak, version of universal health care in place. Today, when the wingnuts came out to play, we were ready for them.
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas of the fifth district, representing Lowell and vicinity, held a town hall meeting about health care today at the Chelmsford town hall gymnasium. While Congressman Jim McGovern of the third district held a meeting in Worcester earlier this week, Tsongas is the only other congress person in Massachusetts who has meetings scheduled for this recess. Considering the hostile tenor that such meetings have engendered it was brave of her to move forward and hold her meeting. She is also planning a second one with date and details to be announced.
When I arrived at 9:30 for the 10:00 am meeting there was a crowd of over 100 waiting for the doors to open. Both sides were well represented as people handed out literature and signs. I took a well printed sign from a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) member who had a number of them. It said "Health Insurance Reform for All", which is pretty weak by my standards but I decided it was better than nothing and that it would get the point across. One thing is sure about the other side: they make lousy signs. Definitely all the artist and creative types are on our side! Of course someone from Winglandia was sporting the large photo of Obama with Hitler's mustache. Sadly I guess that is becoming required signage with this group. Someone told me that it is the Lyndon LaRouche nuts who are supplying that particular piece of handiwork. There was someone handing out slick, glossy LaRouche literature, to use the term literature loosely. It said something or other about Nazis of course. The person handing it out was pretty much babbling incoherently. At least I wasn't able to make any sense of whatever she was trying to say. It was sad.
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Tsongas did a great job of explaining the bill and dispelling the myths that are reality for those on the right. She supports the public option. She made that quite clear. She spoke for about twenty minutes and then took questions.
moreby whoknu
I attended the town hall that was set up in Brighton today for Rep. Ed Perlmutter. I am pleased to report that with a heavy police presence, excellent Union support and Organizing for America on point we outnumbered the TeaBaggers 3 to 1.
My Mom had spoken with the Democratic Party Chair for Adams County the day before and he had told her that Perlmutter was prepared for the crazies and he was. They did a great job of preserving the constituents ability to speak with their Representative while also controlling the crowd on a hot summer day in the parking lot of the local grocery store.
Though Perlmutter did not speak, he did allow one on one meetings for any constituent that waited on line. Because of the set up the meetings were not disrupted by protesters. Also, because of the police presence it was a lively but well behaved crowd and as I stated above I would estimate a three to one advantage in support of Health Care Reform.
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In the crowd was a staffer for Senator Bennett. We talked to him a bit and he said that Bennett is a big supporter of the Public Option. I would like to see this stated on his website but it was good to hear his staffer state his support.
The Unions I saw represented were SEIU, AFL-CIO, UFCW and the Iron Workers of America. I believe there were more there, but I did not see their logos or take notes. Good on you Unions!
more town hall taken over by wingnuts.
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