WND Exclusive SOMETHING IN THE AIR
Constituents boo, jeer as lawmakers defend Democrat health 'reform' plan
By Chelsea Schilling
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
Sen. Specter warns angry citizen he will be forced to leave while attendee tries to physically direct him out the door
Americans are speaking up and confronting the President Obama and Democrat lawmakers with concerns about their health care "reform."
Citizens are flocking to town hall forums across the nation and letting their representatives know where they stand. Meetings are filled to capacity while thousands wait outside for their chance to be heard.
New Hampshire
At a Portsmouth, N.H., high school today, President Obama hosted a health care town hall.
An estimated 2,000 proponents and opponents of his plan gathered in the streets with signs and bullhorns, ready to greet the president's motorcade. While groups opposed to the health "reform" arrived in small groups with hand-made signs, supporters from pro-Obama organizations, such as Organizing for America and Health Care for America Now, spilled out of buses.
"Let's get this done," Obama shouted to a crowd of 1,800 inside Portsmouth High School.
Critics remained calm and polite when the president solicited responses from "skeptical" attendees, according to the Associated Press.
Pennsylvania
Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Penn., held a town hall meeting this morning in Lebanon, Pa., where constituents booed and jeered him for at least an hour. One man began shouting because he was not given an opportunity to speak. He complained that Specter, a long-time Republican who switched over to the Democratic Party this year, would not listen because he's "not a lobbyist with all kind of money to stuff in your pocket."
"One day, God's going to stand before you," he told the senator to his face. "And he's going to judge you and the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill – and then you will get your just desserts."
Other attendees complained about Democrats plans for health "reform." CBS News reported that one woman wore a "member of the mob" T-shirt – referencing Democrat claims that insurance companies and the Republican Party had enlisted "angry mobs" to disrupt town hall meetings.
"I don't believe this is just health care. This is about the systematic dismantling of this country," a woman told Specter. "You have awakened a sleeping giant. I don't want this country turning into Russia, turning into a socialized country. What are you going to do to restore this country back to what our founders created, according to the Constitution?"
Her question prompted a standing ovation. Several members of the crowd shouted, "You work for us!" Meanwhile, a large crowd gathered outside with signs warning of socialism.
The following video shows the exchange:
Missouri
At an Aug. 6 forum sponsored by Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., many protesters were turned away at the door while SEIU members were allowed in. A video of the St. Louis, Mo., incident can be seen below:
The event resulted in six arrests. Afterward, town hall attendee Kenneth Gladney, 38, was beaten, kicked and called racist names outside the meeting. He was at the forum to sell "Don't tread on me" flags, but he said he found himself with a Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, member in his face, calling him the "N"-word and asking what he was doing peddling his message.
Gladney claims he was punched in the face and two other SEIU members jumped on top of him, yelled racial epithets and kicked and punched him. He said he sought treatment for injuries to his knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face.
Also in Missouri, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., faced "shouts and jeers" even in "friendly territory" at her town hall forum on Aug. 10.
At Poplar Bluff, Mo., the report said, an audience of 500 applauded the loudest when Obama was called a socialist.
Another audience member asked, "Where's the birth certificate?" alluding to the dispute over Obama's still-unreleased eligibility documentation.
AP reported McCaskill was visibly frustrated and at one point said, "You guys are so mean."
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