8/23/2009 6:00:00 AM
Overflow crowd packs church for Franks' visit
Congressman field questions on green energy, healthcare during town hall
| |
|
KINGMAN - More than 920 residents packed into the pews, the balcony and into four classrooms to voice their concerns and ask questions of U.S. Rep. Trent Franks Saturday afternoon at the First Assembly of God Church in Kingman.
Unlike town halls held in other parts of the country, residents at Saturday's event calmly lined up to ask their questions, without yelling or shouting at each other or Franks.
Franks stood for more than three and a half hours answering questions from residents on Obama's birth certificate, the healthcare reform bill, immigration, the census, alternative energy, Social Security and more.
At one point, Franks pointed to a stack of papers, about the size of two very large dictionaries, sitting on a chair near him, his copy of the healthcare reform bill. Republicans had split the bill up into more manageable parts in order to read it, but they still didn't understand everything in it, he said.
One resident asked if the Republicans had an alternative to the Democrats' health care reform bill.
The Republicans were working on three bills that offered alternatives to the Democrats' plan, he said. The Democrats' plan is expected to cost the country more than $1.6 trillion.
Franks said under the Republican plan, residents would receive a voucher or a tax credit that would allow them to purchase their own health insurance and people wouldn't be forced to take a government plan.
The Democrats' plan, as written, would allow residents to chose to keep their current plan, he agreed, but at the same time it creates a gigantic government service that would bankrupt private insurance companies.
"I'll never vote for government run healthcare," Franks said. He wouldn't want his family living under such a plan and he pays 100 percent of the cost of his own healthcare.
The only way to prevent people from getting adequate healthcare is to socialize it, Franks said. "Socialism is the equal distribution of poverty. The poor suffer the worst under socialism."
When asked how he planned to stop the Democrats' plan, Franks said he was working with the Blue Dog Democrats, but that he needed the people to voice their opposition to the plan as well.
Not everyone at the meeting was in favor of Franks and the Republican's plan.
"Rep. Franks, you're part of the same group that during the Bush administration sold us on weapons of mass destruction, tax cuts that led to massive debts and the stripping of American liberties in the name of so called security," said one man. "Right now we have a health industry that works against taking care of its citizens and you're working to maintain that status quo. Why should we trust you now?"
Bush "would be pretty surprised to hear that I was supporting his administration," Franks said. He had supported an alternative to Bush during the election. And the people that made fun of Bush and his focus on nuclear weapons may one day wish he was back, Franks said. "There was a lot that I didn't agree with him about, but he did keep us safe."
"As far as the status quo, I think we should be moving toward a more freedom-oriented system and I think that's what our healthcare bill will do," he said.
Another resident asked if she would be forced against her will to pay for abortions under the proposed health care reform bill.
Abortions were covered under the proposed bill, Franks said. The Republicans were working to remove that and keep a clause that would allow doctors, medical professionals and hospitals opposed to abortion from having to provide the procedure.
"I tried to read that thing," said one woman, pointing to the stack of papers. "It's the biggest fairy tale I've ever read."
|
Posted: Thursday, August 27, 2009
Article comment by:
jennifer
ignorance is bliss, to neo-cons, and evagelicals, go figure they have their meeting in a church, people educate yourselves, i know it's hard , but golly if it's on fox news it must be true!...education! education! look into things for yourself, dont be weak minded and believe the herd.
Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Article comment by:
You Don't Need to Be Brave, Just Vote
Kim, you're braver than you know. Thank you for attending and supporting intelligence.
Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Article comment by:
Jeff
Constitutionalist, it's been released by the state of Hawaii. At least twice Hawaiian officials have produced prove.
I guess it speaks volumes about the intelligence of our citizens when they don't fully explore an issue but instead just listen to right-wing talking heads.
And it speaks volumes about the right-wing talking heads (many being politicans like Franks) who encourage stupidity.
Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Article comment by:
Frank
Randy, my, my. So touchy about pickups. I drive one myself. I guess I was just saying he was one of my kind with one big exception. I left my gun at home.
I do wonder what you and the crowd's response would have been if the gun-totter was an Arab-American exercising his right to carry a gun.
Again, Republican response is to attack the messenger.
Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Article comment by:
George
Yea, the articles on this event were poor at best. First, any good reporter would make an attempt to identify the one lone, BRAVE dissenter.
Also, since the Miner had staff present you would have thought it would have reported on the protesters soaked to the bone for their beliefs.
Mikel, great blog below. You not only display bravery but, intelligence.
Posted: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Peabody
Hey JynX --
Good comment. I agree all the way around. I like this: "The government is only there to facilitate trade and defense, the rest is a states rights issue..."
Funny how many people think the government is supposed to do more. I guess that's a sign of how many people depend on the government for everything. Sad.
Posted: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Article comment by:
The Real JynX
The birth certificate issue is easily solved. Pass a law that requires proof of birth in the US before a presidential candidate can run. That way IF Obama isn't a citizen he won't get a second term. However I think conservatives would be better suited at targeting the failures of the administration. Change isn't continuing to blame past administration for your faults. Hope isn't telling American's that if we don't get universal healthcare that people will die. No healthcare system is perfect, however ours does need to be addressed. I would never vote for universal, but the whole system needs to be revamped and brought into the 21st century, a government solution is at best a 19th century solution and anyone who votes for universal healthcare either wants the government to run their lives or needs a refresher course in math. The government is only there to facilitate trade and defense, the rest is a states rights issue and I hope Arizona would stand with conservative states and pass laws against mandatory healthcare. As for other issues, it is not ok to hate any group, but we are all well within our rights to request that illegal immigrants leave our country. They are a huge burden on our economy, Americans will work so do not argue that ignorant point. Plus they broke the law coming to this country. No bigotry involved in this, all illegals are not welcome in my eyes. My family was forced to go through Canada to immigrate to the US and then had to pay and wait to become an American, which they did proudly. To all those who keep complaining about religion in government, put you money where your mouth is or shut up already. Either stop spending US dollars completely, or stop the complaining, if you are unwilling to stop spending US dollars which state “In god we trust”then you obviously are not that dedicated to your cause; remember some people starve themselves and others allow themselves to be run over by tanks in support of their ideals, where is your dedication? I bet it ends at inconvenience. There are people of many faiths around the world who would love the opportunity to stand in a US church and talk about political issues.
Posted: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
No truth to this comment from the article...."There was a lot that I didn't agree with him about, but he did keep us safe." Bush did NOT keep us safe- 9/11 - hello! As a democrat, I would be interested to see Obama's birth certificate. Being a person who does not have health insurance, i would like to be able to recieve the same health care, that people on welfare get for free. It is not right that unemployed people collecting SSI have health coverage and I don't. $200/month for a 43 yr old non smoker with no health problems is a bit much. And that is with a $5000 deductible. Insurance companies have been robbing us, time for them to feel the crunch.
Posted: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Elsie
@ Jinx
I did ask this same question but a different town hall meeting in Phoenix and these crooked elected officials avoided the very same question. Jinx spare me your sarcastic remarks.
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009
Article comment by:
A Pro American
Maybe Trent Franks should just go over to the White House and ask Obama where he was born. But I doubt that he will. I think Franks gets aggressive only when he is safely back home here in Mohave County with his right wing buddies.
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009
Article comment by:
A Pro American
Bush ignored everything except for the amount of money he would make on oil by going to war in Iraq. Bush was probably the dumbest president in the last 100 years.
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Dan - Kingman
DVS said: "...Interesting there seemed to be only one Sheeple. Everybody else seems to be of one body.....AGAINST THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION.."
So there was one person who opposed the group and that person was a 'sheeple'? Kinda got it backwards didn't ya? The derogatory term Sheeple is used to describe someone who blindly follows the crowd.
Educating wingnuts since 2000.
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Randy
Hey GET SMART...
You forget that Clinton was too busy hiding strange women under his desk and sleeping on the couch because he and his wife were fighting due to his infidelities and she wouldn't let him sleep in their bed! You better believe that diverted Clintons attention from business AND played a part in the 1993 (<
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Tom G
National health care has been around for years. By law, no one is refused treatment at an emergency room. If they cannot pay, you and I do.
If we as a nation decide to provide National Health Care, we must first decide if it will be National or World care. I don’t think anyone believes the US taxpayer can provide health care for all people of the world. If national health care means standing in line for care with anyone who can sneak into the country, be prepared for a long wait and poor service.
If this country wants to provide “National Anything”, we must first secure the boarders and control who enters the country wanting these National Services. National health care, education, and welfare will financially ruin this county if we try to provide these services to all “CITIZENS” of the world who find the way to our country.
A country without secure boarders is in fact not a country.
My plan for National Health Care.
1. Secure the boarders.
2. A national sales tax to pay for the system.
3. Government issues all legal residents a basic plan voucher.
4. All insurance companies administer the plan and compete for your voucher on an annual basis.
5. All insurance companies may offer a supplement or deluxe plan at extra cost to the insured.
6. All persons with preexisting conditions will be evenly and randomly distributed with all insurance providers, and may elect to have a new provider randomly selected each year.
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Get Smart
Hey No Name - duhhhhh
you forget the facts. Clinton handed over the warnings to Bush - Bush IGNORED them and went reading children's books.
|
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
