tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15374623.post7583552899787414828..comments2023-11-02T06:43:49.663-04:00Comments on Watergate Summer: Congresswoman Marcia Fudge Town Hall Meeting: Ford Auditoreum Case Western August 2009enigma4everhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06589997090173140019noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15374623.post-39364521450118782009-08-13T20:16:35.077-04:002009-08-13T20:16:35.077-04:00Allie, you and Cleveland rock...so good to know th...Allie, you and Cleveland rock...so good to know the support expressed for the public option!Georgia Eliothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14891721603380889339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15374623.post-9126074393314680782009-08-13T04:23:20.323-04:002009-08-13T04:23:20.323-04:00Akron Beacon Journal ( postd on Channel 3 too)::::...Akron Beacon Journal ( postd on Channel 3 too)::::<br />CLEVELAND -- In a town hall meeting at Case Western Reserve University, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge said she wanted to get feedback from residents about health care reform. She certainly got an earful.<br /><br />"Certainly I don't mind people disagreeing with what we're doing," said Fudge. "That is the democratic process."<br /><br />The Democrat stood on the stage at Ford Auditorium on the campus of Case Western Reserve University and added, "but they have to keep in mind that this is my meeting."<br /><br />Within minutes, two men in the center of the auditorium began yelling at Fudge. Both were quickly tossed out of the hall by CWRU security as many in the crowd applauded.<br /><br />Most of the protesters chose to remain across the street holding signs for both passing cars and media cameras. Several belonged to a group called the "Cleveland Tea Party Patriots."<br /><br />Ralph King is the group's leader. "We're over here and we're staying over here for the simple fact that we respect their right to voice their free speech," said King.<br /><br />He added, "I just want everybody to know that thousands of people don't agree with this Obama health care plan. We won't change the Congresswoman's mind, but that's ok. We just want to get our message out there."<br /><br />In the wake of other contentious town hall meetings across the country, Congresswoman Fudge was clearly prepared to handle the distractions at her forum.<br /><br />When a man at the microphone said, "you know in my experience when you rush into things it's usually a big mistake. What is the rush with health care reform?"<br /><br />Fudge responded, "We have been trying to change health care for almost 60 years. It's not new."<br /><br />Across the room, a man dressed in black yelled out , "so what's the rush? It's been 60 years."<br /><br />"Wait a minute," Fudge said calmly. "Are you going to disrespect all these people standing in this line waiting patiently for a chance to speak?"<br /><br />Moments later, a woman choked back tears as she addressed the crowd. "I have worked my whole life and I can't get health insurance."<br /><br />The former nurse continued, "I did nothing wrong except to have a family history full of cancer. So I'm asking you to please, please, I know Stephanie would want you to, but please, please fight for the public option for people like me."<br /><br />The majority of the capacity crowd in Ford Auditorium burst into applause for several minutes.<br /><br />Said Fudge, "It is very clear that the cost of doing nothing is higher than the cost of doing something."<br /><br />© 2009 WKYC-TV<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />yeah..I am the nurse in the article..I did not choke back tears- I was just nervous ( hey who wouldn't be ?)enigma4everhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06589997090173140019noreply@blogger.com