Finally, One Of Those Town Halls In Salem

Kudos to Rep. Schrader for holding a town hall in Salem. Ron Wyden's Field Organizer assured us last week he would not be showing his face in the Willamette Valley during the August recess.

The town hall in Salem was well organized with raffle ticket drawings for the coveted chance to ask a question. It lasted just 60 minutes.

But who came for the questions, anyway? What kind of action was going to be outside the meeting place? No guns, maybe one sign as everyone waited patiently in line. Inside the right wing talkers were going a mile a minute. No real screaming like we see on T.V. or the internet.

There was just one man who tried to create an incident. A good sized group of advocates for immigration reform held up signs at the back of the hall. Some big 400 pound guy placed himself in front of them claiming he was keeping them from marching down the aisle. Well, if someone like that was standing in front of me. Maybe 4 inches between us. I would call it intimidation. I would want him removed. But of course that is what he wanted in a crowded room. Luckily it wasn't me. Credit goes to the sign holders for their calm, patient demeanor.

Oh, Rep. Schrader. He basically explained the House bill. He did talk about the Public Option but was clear that he is concerned about the cost of the bill. No surprise there. There was some booing and some loud clapping but it was clear that there were a good number of people who supported health care reform, although we did seem to be outnumbered. It is hard to tell because we are so polite and they are so rude.

The strangest moment for me was when Rep. Schrader tried to use his experience as a veterinarian to talk about how he always spends time with pet owners before euthanizing their animal. Probably not the best way to explain Medicare payments for discussions about living wills. He probably deserved the reaction he got.

So Salem's Town Hall didn't have people shouting in Schrader's face or racist signs about the President. But then, Town Halls are starting to change a little bit:

In Boulder, Colorado 300 people turned out on Monday to tell Rep. Jared Polis to stay with his support of the Public Option. I am sure all those signs were a welcome sight.

In Florida Rep. Alan Grayson held a spirited Town Hall Monday night in a Union Hall where his supporters way outnumbered his critics.

In New Mexico Rep. Ben Ray Luhan held a forum with an overflow crowd and a large majority applauded loudly as he stressed many times his support for the Public Option and strongly criticized health insurance companies.

Even in Fork Union, Virginia Rep. Perriello faced a 50/50 crowd.

Maybe the Net Roots, Unions and health care advocates are realizing a spineless Democratic Party will let the Republicans destroy any prospect for Health Care Reform. The opponents of change out organized us the last couple of weeks. But it is only round one.