That was in response to a question today at his town hall in Chico, CA, when asked what the Republican plan for the over 40 million uninsured is. " I don't have a plan." No sir, you obviously do not. Not for those uninsured anyway, but you and your party have a plan to stop true reform: mislead, lie, exaggerate, scare and of course, just say no to any plan put forth by the Democrats. This was an excruciatingly painful meeting to attend. Follow me after the jump for more details.
I have the misfortune of being "represented" by Wally Herger, a party liner if ever there was one. Even worse, this man is truly lacking in intellect. He showed that much today at his Chico meeting. The meeting was held at a church that seats 1600, and it was about full. I arrived a little before 11:00 to find a long queue waiting to get in. The pro single payer/public option side was well represented outside the venue with great signs and handouts. The only signs I saw that were not from the "left" were anti choice/pro life. I had received this letter from Wally, and I scanned it because it is different than the letter on his website:
Different because on his website he does not mention the Lewin Group study. Too many people out there might call him out on the fact that it is wholly owned by United Health Care. I know I was ready to, and to make me even angrier, I, along with my fellow tax payers, paid for this propaganda, see lower left of letter. I also had notes on his assorted "health" industry contributors, which to date total over $455,400.00. We were welcomed by this lovely chart, that I know many of you have already seen, in the lobby and again up on a big screen inside:
He referred to it early and often, "just look at all the boxes you'd have to go through!" Before asking his question, a gentleman pointed out that the chart was made by Republican staff and Congressman Kevin Brady, ranking Republican member. Touché! Herger said there was no "one silver bullet" that would solve this crisis, but that many would be needed. When asked what one of those bullets might be, he said "tort reform" and boy did he go back to that lame answer often. That was his answer at least ten times to assorted reduce cost questions. The other answer he used over and over was "competition." Competition from other insurers, but NOT the Government! How could those poor insurance companies actually compete with that? The crowd was, judging by applause, 3 to 1 pro Herger. But most questions were asked by people who were pro single payer/public option. Both sides were quite polite for most of it. But when the Congressman began simply not answering people that had tougher questions, he was booed. When I said earlier that this man lacks intellect, this is what I meant. You could tell that he simply did not understand many of the questions, even one that was from a supporter. It was pathetic. This is a 12 term Rep. and his supporters love him and sadly, they far outnumber those of us who do not. Of course you could site the Lewin Group study to these people. This is a very big agriculture area, and as I was walking out to my car, those supporters of his kept reminding me of this: