To the editor:
The front-page headline of Sunday, Aug. 16, “Reform advocates drowned out in uproar,” was entirely inappropriate. Your description of meetings put on by U.S. Reps. Lynn Jenkins and Todd Tiahrt as “dominated almost entirely by opponents of Democratic plans to reform the health care system” was slanted, one-sided, and wrong. The way the headline is worded clearly favors the liberal Democrat viewpoint.
The attendees at the meeting were exercising their First Amendment rights not only of free speech, but the right to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Scott Rothschild's article quoted Corrie Edwards, executive director of the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition, as saying, “These meetings have become crazy.” She went on to say she felt “beat up by people.” If she has a problem listening to the opinions of the people she is paid to serve, then she's in the wrong business.
Americans don’t need or want elected officials to decide what is in our best interest. I have faith that the American people are strong enough and intelligent enough to be able to make these kinds of decisions on their own, without any intervention at all from the federal government. So in the future, leave the opinions to the opinion page, and present the news as impartial and unbiased.
Comments
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 7 years, 11 months ago
Your real complaint isn't that the reporting was "slanted," but rather that it wasn't slanted, Gregg. The meetings were indeed “dominated almost entirely by opponents of Democratic plans to reform the health care system.”
And Corrie Edwards is employed by a private organization whose goal is as follows.
"~Mission~
The mission of the Kansas Health Consumer Coalition is to advocate for affordable, accessible, and quality health care in Kansas.
~Beliefs~
We believe health care coverage should be continuous, accessible, and affordable. We believe that health insurance should enhance health and well-being by covering quality health services that are effective, efficient, safe, timely, patient-centered, prevention oriented, and equitable. We believe in the value of objective research and data to support the policy efforts of the coalition. As individuals and as a coalition, we have concern for the health of people in Kansas."
Clearly, this is not the viewpoint of the majority of Republicans, who believe healthcare to be foremost a profit-making venture that can be used as a weapon in the Great American Class War.
canyon_wren 7 years, 11 months ago
The "underground"--the Internet--is the only place we will find out what is REALLY happening at these meetings. The media is careful not to tell the true story. But the people at large are doing their best to express their dissatisfaction all over the country and their numbers are growing stronger daily. It is reassuring to know that the grassroots feeling out there is much more important than the media would have you believe. It is getting scary to realize how manipulated these meetings are becoming. The account of what happened in a small town in Montana is enough for me.
canyon_wren 7 years, 11 months ago
macabebe--your post is interesting. If it is true, it is probably just confirmation that there are some liberals out there with common sense--something that many posters won't acknowledge. "We are all in this together," and the repercussions from the destructive directions that the current administration is taking us will "fall on the just and unjust alike." We can only hope that some of the Democrats now in Congress have the foresight to keep that in mind. Possibly a blind hope, of course. But there is another election next year.
MeAndFannieLou 7 years, 11 months ago
Autie! You and Roger Martin need to put down your King James and learn the new, revised, Republican new testament!
"for I was hungry, and you said 'get a job!' I was thirsty and you said ' you'd probably just spend it on alcohol' I was a stranger and you said 'ew get away from me!' I was naked and you had me arrested, I was in prison and you said 'you should have made better choices'
Now just commit that to memory and take it to heart, and we'll all be just fine.
BrianR 7 years, 11 months ago
"Americans don’t need or want elected officials to decide what is in our best interest."
No, We the People have corporations to make these decisions for us. Hallelujah!
geekin_topekan 7 years, 11 months ago
I don't pay much attention to the fearful and misinformed right wingers who use heathenish tactics to express themselves. However, I do watch briefly enough to close my eyes and listen. I hear their words but I envision tie-die and beads.
Canyon_wren wrote: "...are doing their best to express their dissatisfaction all over the country and their numbers are growing stronger daily." +++ I believe that the group has always been there the and the numbers have not "grown". I equally believe that they are finally shedding their sheep outfits and only recently have come to realize that they do have that voice and it is within them and not on TV. The numbers that come to this realization are growing daily. Perhaps they seem to understand that what is beyond the realm of what they have been told, is not nearly as scary as their coveted leaders want them to believe it is. After the last election the metaphorical gate has been left open and the sheep are, cautiously of course, stepping out to explore a strange new world.
I believe they were called "Hippies" in the 60's. Lord knows what our culture will call them this time around.
jimmyjms 7 years, 11 months ago
Gregg apparently doesn't understand what "bias" means.
$10 to anyone who can show bias from the article.
And while you're at it, read this!
"Health Care Hypocrisy"
"Many of the pundits attacking government health insurance rely on government health insurance for their own families."
http://www.slate.com/id/2225664/
Scott Drummond 7 years, 11 months ago
"Americans don’t need or want elected officials to decide what is in our best interest."
Why would anyone listen to someone who, based on the statement quoted above, has such a fundamental misunderstanding of our form of government?
jonas_opines 7 years, 11 months ago
"This is why Rush and Fox News are huge, and this gets totally by liberals. Sorta like a mental block or maybe serious denial, not sure which."
Not hard to understand that they give you exactly what you want to hear. Kind of like in the Congress itself. A minority with unity of speech, in contrast to the divided party of their opposition.
In other words, they cater to you, to take your money. Or to take the money of the advertisors who want to take your money, to be technical about it.
But silly me, I know we've told you this before, and you just keep on forgettin' about it.
Corey Williams 7 years, 11 months ago
macabebe (Anonymous) says…
"porch person:
I think it would be wise for you to stick to the topic of the letter and stop telling lies about Bush."
Refer to nancy boy's post at 10.28 am to learn who first brought up Bush in this. In fact, nancy boy can't stop talking about Bush or Palin.
Then, what lies? And after being in office for eight years, surely seven months later his effects are still felt? How long did conservatives say, "but Clinton"?
Corey Williams 7 years, 11 months ago
I call 'em like I see 'em, Tom. Bush and Palin are both out of office now. Can't you let them go?
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