I attended a Town hall meeting held by Arizona Congressman John Shadegg.  It was held in the cafeteria of a Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center. 
The hall could hold 200, but was overflowing.  There were people sitting on the floor, standing in the open aisles, as well as outside.  Some carried very creative and succinct signs.
It was scheduled to run from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Congressman Shadegg went on answering questions until approximately 1:40 p.m. 

Congressman Shadegg set  the tone for the forum at the outset.  It was to be a civil discourse, both from those who agreed with him  as well as those who may not.  He asked the crowd to be polite to both sides.  Support for the Congressman was overwhelming.  I arrived an hour early and the place was briskly filling up with people. 

Questions ranged from what is in the bill to tort reform and healthcare choice.  People asked questions about the cost (they have Medicare and know the monthly cost)...but no one in Congress knows the answer to this one.  Many people were adamantly opposed to the government takeover of the Health Care industry.  They cannot run the Post Office, Amtrak, Medicare, or Medicaid efficiently, so why should we believe or trust that they could run "Obamacare".  There is a myth that you can keep your current coverage...well yes, sort of...for a day, week, up to  five years maybe;  however, your insurance company  cannot modify your plan (other than to add family members), if it does, the plan is void and then you are forced to join the government plan.  This is freedom of choice?

John Shadegg's bill offers HEALTHCARE CHOICE.  It attempts to fix some areas, but not throw the baby out with the bathwater.  Under his plan you can shop health insurance companies like you shop for auto insurance, so you can get the plan that works best for your family.  This way families are not forced to take their employer's plan.  Another interesting fact is that employer offered plans get a tax break.  How about giving the tax break to the people? Shadegg's plan would help those who have pre-existing conditions, for whom coverage is currently denied or exorbitantly expensive.  I liked his approach.  It is a common sense reform.  It attacks areas that do need improvement. 

We have the BEST healthcare system in the world.  People flock to the USA for treatments...who leaves?  Several doctors spoke up advising against this plan.  One worked in the VA hospitals.  The gist of his statement was: Go spend one whole day at a VA hospital, I guarantee you will not want government running your healthcare.  That fact in itself is a travesty of justice...too many veterans have often paid dearly to preserve our freedom, and our government cannot offer them a decent and efficient  healthcare system? 

Other people brought up the economics of this program:  it will create wait lists to have everyone on one program, and a possible shortage of doctors.    How many  people will pursue medical school it the government is going to control their compensation?  Doctors have years of schooling: medical school, residency, and more school for specialties...it is very expensive, not to forget setting up an office...what incentive is there for aspiring medical professionals within a government healthcare plan?  Perhaps it should be called a HealthScare plan?

People are concerned about rationing of care for the elderly.  Some mentioned that they had paid into the system, and now they will not receive the care promised.  Who determines someone's "quality of life"?  For example: drugs, there may be several pills to treat high blood pressure.  All have some sort of side effect.  What if as the patient you tried the least expensive pill and it had a side effect that caused you to cough all day and all night?  So you try a different drug (more expensive), and the coughing is eliminated.  Obviously, you opt to take the second drug.  Now will some bureaucrat come forward and say : " You are old, this is how life is, get the cheaper pill and just deal with the cough!"  Have we become a "throwaway" society to those whom we have entrusted with the power to run our country? 

I for one do not want a government bureaucrat coming in between me and my physician and our medial decisions.  Nor do I want my medical records in Washington D.C.

Many were concerned with the constitutionality of the flag@whitehouse.gov program, as well as the constitutionality of a government takeover of the healthcare system.  We do not want more government intrusion into our private lives.

The day after this event I looked in our local paper for coverage.  There was none.  They had a photo of one protester at Congressman Harry Reid's office, but that was it.  Why did the media ignore this event?  Healthcare and jobs are two of the most important issues going on in our country today.  The local paper swept it under the rug.  Interestingly, they did run an article about an Iowa town hall.

This was an informed grassroots group of individuals. 

If you are against Obamacare then be sure to talk to your friends and any others you come in contact with daily. 
Write Senators as well as Representatives.  There is a small chance we can stop it in the Senate.

"Last Friday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee met to markup the Majority’s health care bill. Democrats sent a clear message to Americans everywhere, when they voted against an amendment that would have included Congress and all federal employees in the government-run health care they are imposing on you and your family. In fact, Democrats later voted against allowing the American people the same private health care options available to Members of Congress. This is a perfect example of the doubletalk we are witnessing everyday from the Nancy Pelosi Democrats." Per John Shadegg

Open Letter to Congress:  

So called Healthcare Reform is an intrusion into our personal freedoms and liberties.

We are against this Government Healthcare Reform bill.  We do not want government coming in between us and our physicians. How dare this administration try to have some Washington bureaucrat tell our doctor what is the appropriate test and form of treatment.  Medical issues are personal and private matters…i.e. NONE of the government’s business!  

We want less government intrusion in our lives.  The USA has the BEST healthcare in the world.  People come here for help…no one leaves the USA for care (unless it is experimental procedures or drugs).  

What we need is TORT reform to bring down costs.

The government has proven over and over that it cannot run programs as effectively as the private sector.  Look at Medicare, Medicaid, Cash for Clunkers, Amtrak, or the Postal Service.  How about trying to eliminate waste and fraud in these programs for 2 years?

We reject the “nanny-state” idea of universal healthcare.  Encourage insurance companies via tax breaks to offer more options of affordable coverage.  But no government mandates of fines.  This is about personal freedom and choice.

Isn't it curious that no legislators are willing to sign up for the Obama plan for their own families.   It is also worth noting the number of people who vote without READING the bill. 

The President is prevaricating in his “bully pulpit” appearances.  He says we can keep our existing plan…the bill says that is for about 5 years before we must change…or be fined.  He talks of keeping costs down...at the sacrifice of quality of life for the patient? 

If you take medication, you know there are side effects.  Sometimes you must try two or three different medications to find the one that gives you the least objectionable side effects.  If it happens to be a more expensive drug, will a government bureaucrat  tell us, "Sorry, you get the cheaper pill...deal with it."?  Will the government bureaucrat also decide which doctors are performingproperly?  Will political persuasion enter in to their decisions?  Whydoes the Obama administration want to limit liberty?   This is freedom?!  The founding fathers are rolling over in their graves!

How can some Congressmen lecture us on being responsible with regard to healthcare, when they are irresponsible in thier jobs by not doing their work (reading a bill, giving themselves exemptions to legislation, or listening to the majority of people in this country)  Congress is  elected by us, the people, not by the special interests.  It may take some time, but we the people will make changes to our representation.  

Be forewarned Congress...you and your colleagues may be looking more earnestly at the unemployment numbers, as you may be joining their ranks in the not too distant future. 

I think Job creation is a more important issue for Washington to concentrate on.

Wake up and stand up America for what is right and for  FREEDOM!

Call the Blue Dog Democrats:

BLUE DOG Democrats CAN KILL OBAMA HEALTH CARE REFORM
There are EIGHT "Blue Dog Democrats" who sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee. If these eight Democrats do not support the legislation, passage would likely not succeed. It is CRITICAL to contact them TODAY and make your voice heard.
John Barrow (GA-12) p: (202) 225-2823, f: (202) 225-3377, email.
Bart Gordon (TN-06) p: (202) 225-4231, f: (202) 225-6887, email.
Baron Hill (IN-09) p: (202) 225-5315, f: (202) 226-6866, email.
Jane Harman (CA-36) p: (202) 225-8220, f: (202) 226-7290, email.
Jim Matheson (UT-02) p: (202) 225-3011, f: (202) 225-5638, email.
Charlie Melancon (LA-03) p: (202) 225-4031, f: (202) 226-3944, email.
Mike Ross (AR-04) p: (202) 225-3772, f: (202) 225-1314, email.
Zack Space (OH-18) p: (202) 225-6265, f: (202) 225-3394,

It is more important than ever to "buy American".  Look at what you select at the grocery store. 

Two recent finds:

1. Everyday Living Fabric Softener sheets were made in the USA and on sale!  Other brands were made in Canada. 
2. Kleenex with lotion is made in the USA.

If we all make the effort..no matter how small...we can impact this recession.  One person can make a difference.