How would you calm down the town halll protesters

[Buxtahatche]

How?

LISTEN TO THEM WHEN THEY SAY THEY DON"T LIKE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WITH THEIR MONEY!
That is the job of a representative, after all... to represent the views of their district!

Except that listening is a two-way street, and with the number of people opposed to the proposed plans that believe ridiculous nonsense about what the plans say, it's clear that a lot of the opposition hasn't been listening.

I have been listening.
It raises my taxes (to say nothing of the 8+% raise it will hit my cousin with) and gives me a plan where the government has the ultimate say-so in my health care options, and opens a wide door for a total government takeover in the future.

That is highly unacceptable in my book.

The Feds need to look at the Constitution... there's NOTHING that gives the Feds authority to do anything like this, no matter what color tie they wear to work.

Nope, this is an overextension of the Federal authority and should not take place... especially when government programs of a similar nature (welfare, social security, VA clinics) are managed in such a poor manner. It seems that people would pay attention to these programs as they complained about how bad things are in health care. Remember, it'll be the same morons designing the health care program!

[Buxtahatche]

Protests aren't really intelligent anyway. No actual rational discussion gets done. They are a hinderance to legitimate debate. Just a bunch of people shouting semi-intelligible rhetoric.

Protesters = Exercising First Amendment rights.

Nothing Says they have to be civil about it

Yes, it does. You have the right to peaceably assemble. Key word: peaceably.

Ah... so protesters for the last 8 years who did things like this outside the font gate of Bush's private residence weren't 'civil?'

Hell, let's round them up and charge them!

Or is what's good for the goose not good for the gander?

[Mad hatters in jeans]

game of dominos? poker? a barbeque?
Make them an offer they can't refuse and offer them products to buy, better banners, better slogans, better torches It's a sell sell sell situation.

[Zoingo]

Yes, it does. You have the right to peaceably assemble. Key word: peaceably.

No it doesn't, Peaceful can be interpreted many ways, for example, the term Peaceful could mean without arms. Which is why we have the Supreme Court.

[UnhealthyTruthseeker]

No it doesn't, Peaceful can be interpreted many ways, for example, the term Peaceful could mean without arms. Which is why we have the Supreme Court.

I think it is already part of legal precedent that making too much noise can, in many circumstances, be interpreted as not peaceful.

[Psychotic Mongooses]

Ah... so protesters for the last 8 years who did things like this outside the font gate of Bush's private residence weren't 'civil?'

Hell, let's round them up and charge them!

Or is what's good for the goose not good for the gander?

They tried to have civil discourse in front of Bush's private residence? I thought they were just protesting - whereas I though the townhall stuff was supposed to not be protesting, and was supposed to be civil discourse.

[Sibirsky]

I understand that there are different levels of opposition, and that it is therefore unlikely that the vocal minority truly represents all of those who are opposed. Meanwhile, 52%? Statistically, that's basically dead-even.

Incorrect. If the 52% was representative of the whole population that is more than 12 million people AGAINST this bill than for it. Of course when they disagree with you, 12 million are nothing.

[Zoingo]

No it doesn't, Peaceful can be interpreted many ways, for example, the term Peaceful could mean without arms. Which is why we have the Supreme Court.

I think it is already part of legal precedent that making too much noise can, in many circumstances, be interpreted as not peaceful.

What precedent is that? Did that precedent count for protesters outside the White House during Bush's Term, or Clinton's when he did healthcare?

[Capfrania]

How?

LISTEN TO THEM WHEN THEY SAY THEY DON"T LIKE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WITH THEIR MONEY!
That is the job of a representative, after all... to represent the views of their district!

Except that listening is a two-way street, and with the number of people opposed to the proposed plans that believe ridiculous nonsense about what the plans say, it's clear that a lot of the opposition hasn't been listening.

I have been listening.
It raises my taxes (to say nothing of the 8+% raise it will hit my cousin with) and gives me a plan where the government has the ultimate say-so in my health care options, and opens a wide door for a total government takeover in the future.

That is highly unacceptable in my book.

The Feds need to look at the Constitution... there's NOTHING that gives the Feds authority to do anything like this, no matter what color tie they wear to work.

Nope, this is an overextension of the Federal authority and should not take place... especially when government programs of a similar nature (welfare, social security, VA clinics) are managed in such a poor manner. It seems that people would pay attention to these programs as they complained about how bad things are in health care. Remember, it'll be the same morons designing the health care program!

Hey, hey, hey! Don't mention the Constitution (or sit near someone who does) or you're outta there.

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=23472

[Zoingo]

They tried to have civil discourse in front of Bush's private residence? I thought they were just protesting - whereas I though the townhall stuff was supposed to not be protesting, and was supposed to be civil discourse.

So suddenly these Healthcare Protests are becoming "civil disobedience", rather than protesting?

*Smells Hypocrisy*

[UnhealthyTruthseeker]

Hey, hey, hey! Don't mention the Constitution (or sit near someone who does) or you're outta there.

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=23472

Hurray for putting words in my mouth. Does intellectual honesty mean a damn thing to you?

[Psychotic Mongooses]

They tried to have civil discourse in front of Bush's private residence? I thought they were just protesting - whereas I though the townhall stuff was supposed to not be protesting, and was supposed to be civil discourse.

So suddenly these Healthcare Protests are becoming "civil disobedience", rather than protesting?

*Smells Hypocrisy*

Ahhhh, so people have intentionally been going to townhall meetings (which exist for civil discourse) to simply protest, and not engage in civil discourse? I see.

[Marcuslandia]

Gladly, although I can't see why I am forced to propose a link when I counter your argument, but when you make your claim you show no proof what so ever. Fine, as long as I can wipe the smile off of your face.

Opposition to Healthcare Plan dips to new low

Thank you for indulging me. Your source is Rasmussen Reports. The specific questionnaire, presented to 1000 RR subscribers consisted of these questions and had the following breakdown of responses:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_ ... _9_10_2009

Now, of the people polled, it is pretty much certain that most of the 47 million Americans that _need_ health care reform ever had the opportunity to offer their views. The most likely respondents are subscribers to Rasmussen Reports.

Additionally, Rasmussen Reports may very well have a built-in bias:
"Democratic Party activists have pointed out that Scott Rasmussen was a paid consultant for the 2004 George W. Bush campaign. Rasmussen presidential polling numbers tend to be an outlier among samples taken from other polling organizations. Others have pointed out that the reason Rasmussen's polls trend more Republican than other mainstream polls is simply that he samples likely voters. John Marshal of Talking Points Memo has said, "The toplines tend to be a bit toward the Republican side of the spectrum, compared to the average of other polls. But if you factor that in they're pretty reliable. And the frequency that Rasmussen is able to turn them around — because they're based on robocalls — gives them added value in terms of teasing out trends." MSNBC does not use Rasmussen polls. Conversely, conservative media frequently refers to Rasmussen, praising them for being the first to ask about a relevant issue or to ask questions that other pollsters do not."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasmussen_Reports

At any rate, a poll of just 1,000 likely voters drawn from a restricted population pool would seem to have limited reliability.

[Sibirsky]

Except that listening is a two-way street, and with the number of people opposed to the proposed plans that believe ridiculous nonsense about what the plans say, it's clear that a lot of the opposition hasn't been listening.

I have been listening.
It raises my taxes (to say nothing of the 8+% raise it will hit my cousin with) and gives me a plan where the government has the ultimate say-so in my health care options, and opens a wide door for a total government takeover in the future.

That is highly unacceptable in my book.

The Feds need to look at the Constitution... there's NOTHING that gives the Feds authority to do anything like this, no matter what color tie they wear to work.

Nope, this is an overextension of the Federal authority and should not take place... especially when government programs of a similar nature (welfare, social security, VA clinics) are managed in such a poor manner. It seems that people would pay attention to these programs as they complained about how bad things are in health care. Remember, it'll be the same morons designing the health care program!

Hey, hey, hey! Don't mention the Constitution (or sit near someone who does) or you're outta there.

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=23472

I am surprised how ignorant the left is. I guess if it gets their agenda through, it's ok to silence the opposition. Even if it means breaking the law.

[Zoingo]

They tried to have civil discourse in front of Bush's private residence? I thought they were just protesting - whereas I though the townhall stuff was supposed to not be protesting, and was supposed to be civil discourse.

So suddenly these Healthcare Protests are becoming "civil disobedience", rather than protesting?

*Smells Hypocrisy*

Ahhhh, so people have intentionally been going to townhall meetings (which exist for civil discourse) to simply protest, and not engage in civil discourse. I see.

Ahhh, so people who are allowed to do so, can't now, I see. So we set a double standard for one issue, and then place another issue on another double standard. Is it becoming "uncivil" to raise concerns that do not already have answers to them? And furthermore, if these were simple protests, how come so many people in the crowds themselves agree, with the so called "minority" of people who "intentionally" walk into the town hall meetings and protest. Oh! Are these people "brainwashing" the crowd using some sort of mind control device?

@Marcuslandia: In that case, would you like a Gallup poll instead, one that is "less biased"?

Gallup Poll

Would you like to present a poll that backs your argument and has a majority of people approving said system? I'm sure we can compare the 2, only to be fair of course.

[Buffett and Colbert]

People just don't seem to realize that shouting loudly doesn't make you right. They should join NationStates.

[Surote]

People just don't seem to realize that shouting loudly doesn't make you right. They should join NationStates.

[Psychotic Mongooses]

-snipped irrelevance-

You don't go to a townhall meeting to protest. You go to a townhall meeting for a Q & A session to air concerns in a civil manner. Always have, always will. You protest elsewhere.

That is all.

[Capfrania]

Hey, hey, hey! Don't mention the Constitution (or sit near someone who does) or you're outta there.

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=23472

Hurray for putting words in my mouth. Does intellectual honesty mean a damn thing to you?

Perhaps I veered a bit off topic, but I had just been reading that article when someone mentioned the Constitution in a post. I wasn't actually referring to you in any way.

Hurray for not reading the article.

[Dyakovo]

lots and lots of machine guns.

And maybe a tank, just for good measure.

You wanna give the protestors lots and lots of machine guns??? And a tank?

Hell, I'd protest for that!

Me too...
Hell I'd even settle for a tankette...

[Zoingo]

-snipped irrelevance-

-Sniped General Hypocracy and Ignorance-

Official Letter of the United States Congress

Thank you for your interest in the Healthcare Reform Bill, that is being passed in the United States Congress! Currently, your opinion doesn't matter to us, since we know all the facts and will allow no opposition when debating in our O & A sessions. And being a Congressman, [u]I know more about this plan then you do, even if I didn't read all 1000 pages of it, or even, 1 page at all. So, kindly when you attend a meeting, do not ask any questions that I have not already had preplanned out on my teleprompter, or hold signs or exercise your rights to free speech, because that would be "uncivil", just like the MLK protesters of the 60's and the Veitnam Protesters of the 70's (I'm still out to get those fools...muahahahaha!!!). So, if you have any shouts, complaints, or things to say that I don't like, please call my office {insert number here} where a disgruntled secretary will kindly hang up on you.

With Regards, Your Congressman

That is all

[Mad hatters in jeans]

Me too...
Hell I'd even settle for a tankette...

what scenarios would that be used for? killing the smurfs?

[Dyakovo]

Me too...
Hell I'd even settle for a tankette...

what scenarios would that be used for? killing the smurfs?

Well, I'd take out the 20mm cannon and replace it with a paintball gun...

[Zoingo]

Me too...
Hell I'd even settle for a tankette...

what scenarios would that be used for? killing the smurfs?

Well, I'd take out the 20mm cannon and replace it with a paintball gun...

Yes, those smurfs need to be taught a lesson!

[Buxtahatche]

Ah... so protesters for the last 8 years who did things like this outside the font gate of Bush's private residence weren't 'civil?'

Hell, let's round them up and charge them!

Or is what's good for the goose not good for the gander?

They tried to have civil discourse in front of Bush's private residence? I thought they were just protesting - whereas I though the townhall stuff was supposed to not be protesting, and was supposed to be civil discourse.

LOL... protest happens when 'civil discourse' becomes 'let me tell you how you should think.'