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This morning, Chris Murphy (CT-5) held his fourth "coffee talk" of the week in Library Park, Waterbury. Chris, who defeated the insurance companies’ favorite Representative, Nancy Johnson, to win his seat, has been active on health care reform. About 100 people showed up for the event, with the pro/anti balance at about 60/40.
What was truly amazing about this meeting was the tone, which was what a "town hall" meeting was like until recently. After coffee and donuts, Rep. Murphy stood in the middle of a circle – no dais, no microphone, no opening statement.
He took questions from both sides, repeated them for the audience and then gave straight answers. The tone was set with the first question, from a small businessman. He was in favor of most of the House package but expressed some serious reservations about the public option. Chris replied that he is in favor of letting his constituents decide how they want to insure their health. Currently, in CT, those without employer coverage have one choice – for profit insurance. In most European countries, there is no choice either – one must use single-payer or government provided care. He prefers letting everyone choose between the two. [Paraphrase.]
[During his answer, one of the 'No to Socialism' crowd began shouting. The group loudly told him to shut up and Chris politely asked him to let him speak. He called on him later.]
I stayed for about 40 minutes while Chris answered many questions on health care and just about anything else. One man wanted Congress to abolish the standing army, [Chris didn't agree] a woman wanted more abstinence education and no abortions, [He said openly that he was pro-choice] etc.
I don’t know if it was the early hour (8 AM), Chris’s demeanor, or Yankee familiarity with town meetings, but this is how these events should go. It’s a shame that this was the exception, rather than the rule.
As I left, I spoke to the three policemen who were assigned to the meeting, who were standing on the other side of the park. They seemed relieved that there services weren’t needed, and I spent some time talking photography with one of them.
2 Comments
We’re all so very tired. It’s an analogy of six kids on a playground. How many players do you have? If five want something, who plays? I have absolutely no interest in political interest. I, simply, want to be left to my own devices. No gov’t period. I represent, probably, 70 percent of the population. Until this is understood, nothing will be resolved.
You’ll never get being left to your own devices. Without govt, it’s the corporate or violent crime or other power players who run your life. We don’t seem to be capable as a species of living and letting live.