Ordinary Americans Continue to Deliver Progressive Messages at Republican Town Hall Meetings - FDL

[WillyT]

Ordinary Americans Continue to Deliver Progressive Messages at Republican Town Hall Meetings
By: David Dayen - FDL
Friday August 12, 2011 2:10 pm

<snip>

Two years ago, a concerted effort by a corporate-funded Tea Party movement to get conservatives out to town hall meetings changed the dynamic in Washington on health care reform and paved the way for the eventual House GOP takeover in the 2010 elections. In two separate work periods this year, ordinary citizens, with absolutely no help or encouragement from an organized progressive movement, have made their voices heard at town hall meetings, in particular by harassing conservative lawmakers about their plans to end Medicare and put forward a balanced budget amendment, as well as their opposition to tax fairness. If this organic movement were happening on the right, it would be front-page news in every national newspaper in the country. We know because the distinctly non-organic movement in 2009 was front-page news.

In order to find out about this movement, you have to go to local news sites. The Dickinson Press, Dickinson, North Dakota:

(North Dakota Republican Rep. Rick) Berg said he voted for the (debt limit) package because of one provision added in the final hours of debate: a requirement that both houses of Congress vote on a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Berg said he believes it “is the one thing out there that can get our country back on track.”

However, several residents criticized Berg’s position, saying the amendment won’t solve immediate problems — like getting unemployed Americans back to work.

“The balanced budget amendment is like trying to drain a lake to save a drowning person,” West Fargo resident Darrel Lund said. “People are in trouble now.”

Lund said Congress ought to have just raised the debt ceiling as they were tasked to do, instead of adding to the problem through political deadlock.

“That’s what’s caused uncertainty — that Congress can’t even do one thing,” Lund said to applause. “They had to make a political statement.”

The Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, Minnesota:...

<snip>

More (w/Video of Mass. Residents Confronting Scott Brown): http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/08/12/ordinary-americans-continue-to-deliver-progressive-messages-at-republican-town-hall-meetings/

:patriot:

:kick:

[FreakinDJ]

1. like trying to drain a lake to save a drowning person

I'll have to remember that line

[WillyT]

2. Yeah... I Thought That Was Very Good Too...

There's a ton of wisdom out there on the Progessive side, we need to mine it.

:bounce:

:hi:

[WillyT]

3. Kick !!!

:kick:

[Mnemosyne]

4. They need to be hounded every single public place they go, townhalls, dinner, everywhere. K&R n/t