Patriots Patriots United Town Hall on Health Care Features Congressman Don Manzullo – Part 1

Two Crystal Lake Holiday Inn banquet halls were almost filled by people interested in the health care debate.

There were certainly more than 400 people in attendance and it may have come close to 500. Citizens who probably had never attended a policy meeting were mixed with those who had run for office like former Crystal Lake City Council candidate Mike Shorten, whom you see on the end of the row. Shorten was taking notes.

They were drawn by a Patriots United Town Hall meeting at which 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo, Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley (wearing his Centegra Health System executive hat and filling in for invited speaker Centegra President Mike Eesley) and Rockford employee benefits consultant Ryan Brauns were featured speakers.

Above you see the congressman speaking. The stack of paper in front of him is the 1,018 page health care reform bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. Brauns is on the left of the photo and Shepley is on the left.

Father Robert Sherry of McHenry’s Church of Holy Apostles prayed for a “civil tongue in civil discourse.”

His prayer was answered. Whether the $5 price of admission to help pay for the room was the reason or not, I don’t know, but there were no outbursts from members of the audience during the presentation of the health plan of Washington House Democrats, which could not have been described as a friendly one.

A sign at the entrance stated that no posters would be allowed. Both proponents and opponents of President Barack Obama’s health care plan complied with the rule.

Afterward, however, two supporters of reform did show me the placards they had brought to the meeting.

A homemade sign said,

HEALTH
CARE IS
A RIGHT

A professionally printed sign from “Progressive Democrats of America” read,

Healthcare
Not
Welfare

There were some protesters outside. Here you see an early shot. Notice the two policemen in the background.

When I first turned into the parking lot from Three Oaks Road about 6:10, my first indication of a police presence was the squad car you see above.

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that police were everywhere. One organizer told me he had been told there were 14.

You will perhaps remember how Illinois Minutemen were forced to cancel a meeting at the Holiday Inn featuring Ohio Sheriff Daniel Beck. I’m writing a separate article on that.

I kidded Crystal Lake Police Chief Dave Linder that it helped to have the mayor as a speaker. He, of course, made no reply.

Note that Shepley’s copy of the House health care reform bill is half the size of Manzullo’s. Shepley said he used both sides of the paper.

Here’s Part 2.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *