Town Hall with Rep. Brian Baird
by: Still Learning
September 03, 2009 11:57 PM
I wish every town hall meeting could be run as smoothly as this one. I don't know how most are operated, but I'll briefly describe what happened last night:
If you wanted to ask a question, you signed up outside the auditorium giving your name and address and you're given a number. The numbers were drawn 5 or 10 at a time, those who were drawn moved to a row of reserved seats and the Congressman would alternate sides until all questions were asked (at which time, the moderator would draw more). Each person was given 3 minutes to ask their question or state their concerns, then Rep. Baird had 3 minutes to answer. The moderator was fairly strict with the time & outbursts only took away from the allotted time. Unfortunately, my number, 887, was not called. :(
The debate stayed mostly civil, although there were certainly heated moments. I encourage you all to watch the full video at www.chronlinemedia.com.
Pay special attention to the guy near the end in the bright green shirt - I sat right next to him the whole night and thought a few times that I might bite my tongue completely off. But was overjoyed when the next - and final - person put him in his place. Another bright spot was near the middle of the event, when the Congressman discussed that Glenn Beck is not an unbiased newscaster. I about jumped out of my skin I was so proud! (You won't see that in the short video, sorry.)
Overall, there were relatively few (and comparably brief) outbursts from either side, although they were more often from the opponents of reform. The discussion stayed mostly civil, and (surprising to me) there was very little rasicm - except for the little old man who followed a person of color and felt the need to categorize himself specifically as a white man sigh. (Won't see that one in the short version, either.
So, enjoy the show - I did! Here's a link to the short video, sorry I couldn't embed. http://www.chronlinemedia.com/...
Questions for Brian Baird? 9-2-09 Centralia CollegeWill you answer YES or NO promising to personally signing up for whatever Health bill is passed?
Will you answer YES or NO to fully honor your oath of office?
Will you tell us why non-local citizens were bussed to this meeting? Personally, I saw NO buses & I walked all over campus last night, but whatever.
Do you represent all of the people in this District or just those that agree with you and the President?
How large must the funded and unfunded public debt get before you too say, "enough is enough"?
How can you justify taking my money and giving it to someone else for whatever reason?
Do you too believe, as the President stated yesterday before the start of Ramadan at a special White House Dinner party, that America is a Muslim nation?
If you or any member of your family was desperately ill, what other country would you send them to for medical care.....and why?
Do you think a majority of the citizens you are paid to represent agree with the bailouts, take-over(s) and pending legislation?
Do you understand that the more the Federal Government does for people the more dependent people become on the Government, then as dependents they forfeit their rights to control their own destinies?
Will you state, here and now, that the successes we have thus far enjoyed are the blessings of liberty and freedom and that God alone grants our real freedom? Breathe, Spiral...
Will you acknowledge that all the power of the Government comes from we, the people who temporarily loan our authority to you?
When and how will the crazy Federal spending, of both income and debt stop?
Each question was formed and printed by Tom Kunkel of Lewis County. You can contact Tom at PO Box 701 Centralia, WA 98531 We should all be grateful that Representative Baird fulfilled his responsibility to listen and consider what we have to say.
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