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More than 300 sign-wielding protesters rallied in front of U.S. Rep. Travis Childers’ office in Fairpark.
Protest organizer Grant Sowell said the noontime event was held to give people the chance to publicly exercise their First Amendment right to free speech.
“These are people who have an opinion and who want to come out and voice their opinions,” said Sowell, who also organized the “tea party” rallies in Tupelo earlier this year. “Most everyone out here knows there are some flaws in the current health care system that need to be fixed. But we don’t feel things are being handled the right way with this bill.”
Childers, a Democrat, was not at his office.
As motorists drove through Fairpark, many of them caught glimpses of signs that read “Just Say No to Obama Care” and “Leave health care alone.”
Mitchell Sanders waved one that read “NObama” and sported a T-shirt with the same phrase. Sanders, a military veteran, was concerned about the reported cost of health care reform.
“Trillions of dollars in debt, are you kidding me?” he said. “I can’t fathom that amount of money being thrown away on anything. The government needs to stay out of health care.”
As the protesters bounced their signs up and down as they walked back and forth, a couple of people in opposition to the protest watched from across the street.
“I see posters with the president painted as a clown and others with him looking like an animal or something,” said Regina Walker, pointing at some of the signs. “This is disrespectful to the president and to Americans. I think everyone should be free to speak, but there’s a way to do it.
“Where were these people when the last president was sinking the country into one of the worst financial conditions since the Great Depression?”
The crowd was peaceful and orderly throughout the rally.
Contact Danza Johnson at (662) 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com
Do you think that you can round up some of your protesting friend's,and go picket the scale house at Fulton and Corinth?? I could really use your help in stopping the government from having all this control in my life.
I didn't get a chance to attend your meeting,I was too busy working.But I wondered if they signed any cards,vowing that they would NEVER apply for any Social Security benefits,or sign up for Medicare,since it is a government health program? Or maybe you just don't want anybody else to be allowed to?
If we weren't fighting two wars, we could afford to take care of our citizens like the rest of the civilized world. Just goes to show you, Democrats want to help mankind, Republicans want unending global war.
"So if Obama is a NAZI then the opposite and those that oppose him must be Communist."
Wrong about that too, Telecaster, both the National Socialists and the Communists are fascist. The lies, beatings by union thugs and name-calling seem to be mostly from the "Dear Leader's" side.
Better control of the current goverment systems of healthcare reimbursment systems would create large savings.
Currently many people abuse these systems by seeking multiple medical visits when they already have refills for their medical problems. Parent refuse to pay out of pocket for a medication best suited for their childs condiction opting for less suited medication that is paid with public funds. I have later seen these people leaving stores with cigarettes and beer while getting into newer model cars while talking on very nice cell phones. These are only a few examples. These abuses concern me greatly as the goverment programs were designed with great intentions that were abused.
Goverment can't and should not grow to the point of running every aspect of our lives. The cost is to great and rewards many who have found a way to abuse the system.
The important questions are simple.
Do we really trust the same government that has mismanaged the post office, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and Cash for Clunkers to manage our health care?
Does Travis Childers actually have a position on this bill aside from "I cannot support HR3200 AS WRITTEN"? What specific pieces does he support, and what sections does he oppose? This was not addressed in his farcical teleconference Tuesday night.
By the way, where is Travis? His taxpayer funded website doesn't post his schedule and his taxpayer funded office staff claims not to know where he is on any given day.
He'll be visible enough this time next year when he wants to be re-hired. Too bad he can't be visible when he's supposed to be doing his job.
Hum, I wonder if Mr. Sanders has any connection to the local hospital ?