Locals attend Marianna, FL Town Hall with US Rep. Allen Boyd

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Several Bay Countians traveled to Marianna this morning for Congressman Allen Boyd’s town hall. Our group included Glen and Alice Leirer, Asa Burke, David Agosta, Barry Borror, Melissa Thompson and me. Since we had heard the Congressman’s presentation and answers in Blountstown and Bristol yesterday, we decided to be a presence outside today’s venue, where we could wave signs, engage voters in conversations and ask them to sign the petition against socialized health care. We collected just over 100 signatures on the petition and distributed 200 copies of US Rep. Boyd's voting record.



The large majority of people attending the Marianna town hall were opposed to socialized health care, and many of the people I talked to were worried that Congressman Boyd will ignore their concerns and vote for a bill that expands socialism in the health care. They cited statements made by the congressman about HR3200 that contradict what they themselves have read in the bill. Others expressed concerns that donations from lobbyists and liberal PACs to the congressman’s reelection campaign fund will carry more weight with him than the wishes of his own constituents. Many, many were dejected, believing the congressman will vote for some version of socialized health care and there’s nothing they can do to stop him or the legislation.



I talked to only two people who supported socialized health care. One elderly man told me socialism has gotten a bad rap because of conservative activists like me. (I took that as a compliment.) Another elderly man said he believes that as a nation, we should do something about the uninsured. I heard a few people say they hadn’t been able to form an opinion about the health care bill because it’s too confusing to sort out.



Several people told me they plan to attend the congressman’s town hall in Panama City . From what I’ve heard about how that forum will be handled, I believe those people, and Bay Countians, will be very disappointed. It’s bad enough that Rep. Boyd won’t let a person hold the microphone to ask a question. That’s made plenty of disgusted people even angrier at these town halls. If it’s true that at the PC town hall, questions will have to be submitted in writing—and screened—and if it’s true that Rep. Boyd will be part of a panel who will answer those questions, I think the “forum” has potential to backfire on the congressman, event organizers and participants.

Teresa Eaton,
Panama City, FL

Sign the petition opposing socialized health care

You can sign the petition opposing socialized health care at the
Republican Headquarters, 1607 Lisenby Avenue, in Panama City on these dates:

Sat., Aug. 22, 8 to 11 a.m.

Tues., Aug. 25, 3 to 7 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 29, 8 to 11 a.m.