In the past when 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has held Town Hall meetings, there have been so few people attended that they would put chairs in a circle and hold an informal discussion.
No need for security at such small events and probably no need for as much as the Crystal Lake Police Department provided Sunday.
There were a couple of hundred people in attendance at the noon to 2 PM Sunday Town Hall meeting on health care, although the McHenry County College gym was by no means filled. That was fewer than attended the Patriots United Forum on Health Care.
I started taking notes, rather than pictures when I heard Manzullo say,
“Let’s say I work for you.
“Well actually, I do.”
“Good line,” I thought as he launched into an attack on how the House Democrats had excluded themselves and the President from the health care bill they passed.
“That’s outrageous. I’ll never vote for a piece of legislation that exempts me.”
He talked of the 1994 “Contract with America,” one of whose planks was to make all legislation apply to Congress.
OSHA didn’t apply to Congress, Manzullo pointed out as he told of how extension cords went under the rugs in his congressional office.
“That stopped in 1995,” he said, when Republicans took control.
“I’ll never impose something on you I won’t impost on myself.”
Manzullo talked about abortion and President Barack Obama’s heath care plan.
“We’re told no Federal dollars would go to paying for abortions,” he explained. “This is based on your dollars, your after-tax dollars (paying for them).”
“An appointed administrator could require insurance companies to provide (them).”
The congressman warned of a national identification health card which would in “real time” determine an individual’s financial responsibility. He told of a software engineer in a Rockford Town Hall meeting explaining that “real time” meant that the card would be monitored.
“And you wonder why the people of American are upset. They should be,” Manzullo declared.
Through the entire program three cameras were recording the event.
One was that of the congressman’s office. You see Press Secretary Rich Carter standing next to it.
Another was operated by two women as high in the back corner as one could get.
And a hand held camera held by a young man whose companion later identified himself as 17 years old.
Then it was onto questions. People lined up. Hard to believe, but everyone in this line and a couple of more got a chance to ask questions.
Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley laid down the rules. And they were pretty well followed, although lots of folks seemed to talk longer than the two minutes or so they were supposed to. The event was pretty civil.
I only heard the word, “Lie,” shouted out once. It was from a supporter of President Obama’s plan.
A man named Larry cited Business Round Table statistics about health care costs going up 160% in the next decade.
“What is your solution?” he asked Manzullo.
The congressman replied that in 1995 the House had passed both tort reform and the ability for people to associate with others in forming an insurance pool, but how the U.S. Senate, where a 60% vote is needed to force a vote, failed to follow suit. The “association” approach and tort reform theme was reasserted again and again in answer to those contending Republicans had done nothing to reform heath car5e.
A man from Rockford talked of the preexisting conditions his wife would have when she went back to work.
“She’s one mass of pre-existing conditions.”
Jim Carlin from Algonquin read off the cost of defensive medicine ($400 billion), obesity ($200 billion), one I missed and illegal aliens (10-12 million times $7,000, which comes out to a figure bigger than my small computer will calculate).
He advised going after the “low hanging fruit first,” “tort reform” and “illegals.” He urged cost-benefit analysis be used.
Manzullo observed that the Congressional Research Service had concluded that illegal aliens would be included in the bill that passed the U.S. House.
Theo from Algonquin wanted to know if Manzullo agreed that health care coverage was a moral issue.
“Sure,” Manzullo replied, “but it doesn’t mean you apply different standards.”
This gentleman pointed out that while health care costs have gone up, so has the quality of care. He suggested the same was not the case with higher education.
Dan Driscoll-Shaw from Huntley took on the rationing complaint offered by opponents of the Democrat’s plan:
“Look at the rationing that goes on everyday through the private health insurance companies.”
Supporters of national health care, no where near a majority of the crowd, applauded.
He then took on those who complained about the cost of the Democrats’ plan:
“Where, in God’s name, were those people during the Iraq War?”
“The eleven major insurance companies have increased their profit 480% this century,” he continued.
The Huntley man talked of “fear mongering.”
“We need to have more confidence (in our government). You have some good ideas, but I hope you’ll give it a chance.”
“It’s not just ‘fear mongering,’” Manzullo replied. It’s a legitimate fear that (what only the IRS knows now will be more broadly available).”
Crystal Lake’s John Walsh (pretty much the only name I got), wearing a “Change” tee shirt, pointed out,
“We’ve been looking at this issue well over a century.”
He then took on health-related Political Action Committee funding of congressmen.
“You came in 109th out of 435.”
Manzullo was ready for that attack.
In 2010, he pointed out, the Democrats got 67% and 77% of two health-related PAC categories. He said he received between $7,000 and $9,000 out of $1.3 million (not counting the firm that bought Cary’s Sage Products). He then quoted Open Secrets (I can’t find the quote):
“Don Manzullo is not a favorite of any industry.”
Manzullo reiterated,
“We had tort reform through ten years (ago).”
He related that his brother closed the family restaurant because,
“I can’t afford to work for insurance companies.”
“He could have been operating that restaurant if the members of the opposite party (had voted for the bill the U.S. House passed in 1995).”
Deborah of Crystal Lake offered this:
“I am a blind person and I am working. Please don’t forget those of use who are handicapped. I have breathing problems. I’m taking medicine every other day, just skating through (because of) the cap on Part D.
“If it keeps up, my husband and I won’t be able to stay at work. I live in fear of wh4ere my medicine is going to come from.”
Her husband Mark Maurino, also blind, added,
“Where we are, they can’t offer us health insurance.”
“We all want to make it possible for you to continue to work,” Manzullo replied, instructing his staff to talk to the couple. Manzullo had come down from the stage to talk to the couple.
“Everyone who is an American citizen has the right to health care,” Debra Szady of Lake in the Hills asserted. “There’s a lot of common ground, between the left and the right. We’re sick and tired of watching a bunch of babies fighting back and forth.”
Manzullo returned again to tort reform.
“That’s in every Republican bill. It’s in none of the bills of the President or the congressional chairmen.
“The (association) bill makes sense,” he continued, pointing out it is sponsored by both himself and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. “It allows a modified form of association health care.
“Neither leadership will let it go to the floor.”
Deborah pointed out that six of the eight years, the Republicans controlled both houses.
Manzullo again pointed out that the United States Senate requires sixty votes to force a vote on a bill.
“There were never sixty votes there,” he explained.
Dave of Crystal Lake revealed he had just gotten a “Medicare card a couple of days ago.”
“Maybe we don’t need a this total overhaul.”
“Has anyone gone into a doctor’s office or a hospital and looked for a list of prices?”
He suggested that it was impossible to find a price list at a doctor’s office or a hospital.
“You can’t shop around.”
Carter of Cary said he had lived there 27 years.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been to an event like this.
“Church has been over two hours. There’s no excuse for this turnout,” referring to the empty chairs and bleachers.
He was pretty much an equal opportunity criticizer, as far as the level of government went.
“The only change I’ve seen is coming out of my pocket,” he observed.
And, then, he took on Springfield:
“There’s something evil about a group of people would pass a tax on alcohol and candy on the same day.”
That resulted in considerable laughter. (The taxes were passed, along with legalizing slot machines in every bar in Illinois to pay for roads and schools and other capital projects.)
His parting shot was,
“If it’s something I can’t stand, it’s someone peeing on my leg and calling it rain.”
A blond woman in a black cape said,
“We’re watching. People are busy. Have a meeting with Dick Durbin.
“I’m tired of eating ground beef while government is eating steak and I’m paying for both.”
A man in a sweatshirt took on the former speaker who pointed out that health care had been debated in this country for over 100 years.
“This program has been recycled over 100 years. I figure after 100 years you’d have gotten it better.
“They think we’re just too ignorant.
“It doesn’t mean we don’t want to help people.
“We just don’t want it.
“The opposition is still here. We’re not going away. We just don’t want this plan.”
A 17-year old named Sam was the most aggressive of the afternoon, starting out saying he didn’t pay taxes.
He had read a column by Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Chapman that apparently used the same argument that Deborah of Lake in the Hills cited, that the GOP had had control of Congress and had done nothing.
Manzullo went back into his high school civics teacher mode and again pointed out that the U.S. House has passed association health plans and tort reform in 1995, but the Senate had not.
“It’s called the Rule of Cloture.
“The House operates on majority rule.
“The Senate operates o a super-majority rule.”
“The majority of people attending are elderly,” Sam continued (while an uproar arose from the audience) “covered by Medicare. If a public option is such a bad idea, let’s take away Medicare.”
“We have a plan. Let’s not start all over,” Lakewood’s Martha Tuohy, wearing a red coat, said.
She said her son was injured twenty years ago in Germany and “the German plan paid for everything. We reimbursed them, but they paid for everything.”
“We have got to do something. My daughter-in-law and two college graduate students who can’t find jobs (need insurance).”
Crystal Lake’s Kevin spoke for “future generations.”
“(They) have no representatives here. These generations should not have to pay (for this).”
That’s when the word “Lie” could be heard.
Kevin they listed businesses like the post office and social security which, if private businesses, “the courts would close them.”
He then criticized Manzullo for voting to bail out the auto companies.
‘I voted against the stimulus and the bailout,” Manzullo stated. “There was a vote to extend the (automobile manufacturers’) loan for two months” which he admitted voting for.
Mary Alger, wearing a Patriots United tee shirt, took on 17-year old Sam directly.
“If we (pass) that 1016 pages, (paying for it) will be your responsibility.
“What about the Patriot Act?” Sam said as tried to engage her in debate, but was not allowed to do so. (Click to enlarge any picture.)
[I wondered why Sam didn't see elements in the Patriot Act in the "real time" medical card that everyone would be required to have to obtain medical care under the Democrats' plan.]
“I say, ‘Burn that dam bill!’” Alger concluded.
“I just got my Medicare card,” Jim said next.
“It’s the best insurance I’ve ever had.
“I believe insurance companies operate a criminal enterprise,” he continued.
He opposed giving the insurance to illegal aliens.
“I know of at least two illegals on my block. They’re nice people but E-Verify (should be required) for all private employers.
“Keep them out.
“My daughter-in-law had to declare medical bankruptcy.”
Bernice Russell was next.
“Business and HMO’s operate strictly for profit,” she said.
“Government doesn’t.”
“I think we have the best health care system in the world and I’m going to protect it,” Manzullo said at this point. He suggested comparing cancer survival rates in the United States with those in elsewhere.
After all the 16th congressional district residents had been heard, those from outside the district were allowed to speak.
A Woodstock resident said,
“I ended up with Melissa Bean She’s had two telephone town meetings, but nothing like this.”
With the meeting coming to a close, Manzullo pointed out that the “public option” would not take effect until 2013, after the next presidential election.
“If it’s that urgent, why would (the President want to wait)?” the congressman asked.
The last person in line was Neil from Wonder Lake, also in Bean’s 8th district.
He told of a man whose back was hurt in the Mideast. The Army doctors would not allow an MRI until his mother basically raised hell.
“That’s what you’re looking at,” he said.
“Be careful what you wish for.”
Manzullo stuck around for a long time, taking to everyone who wished to see him.
Meanwhile, 17-year old Sam kept debating.
Not all of the young people at the meeting agreed with Sam.
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Some names were added after checking the Daily and Northwest Herald stories.
