Tea Party to Hold Code Red Anti Health Care Capitol Protest Rally

by Rory Cripps | March 20, 2010 at 09:00 am

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Tea Partiers and a coalition of grassroots interest groups are planning to hold a protest rally outside the Capitol at noon on Saturday calling for the defeat of President Obama's and the Democrats' health care reform legislation.

American Grassroots Coalition organized Saturday's protest rally, which will include groups such as the Memphis Tea Party, Tea Party Express, Let Freedom Ring, Americans for Prosperity, and 60-Plus, a conservative seniors advocacy group.

Jennifer Hulsey, co-founder of American Grassroots Coalition said about the rally, "All of the groups have a mutual goal -- to band together to communicate the frustration of the people and demand the termination of this health bill legislation."

The protesters will gather at noon in Senate Park, rally at the National Mall during the day, and hold a candlelight vigil around the Capitol on Saturday night.

Celebrities Attending the Rally

Republican Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Tom Price of Georgia, Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Phil Gingrey of Georgia will participate.

Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight and President Obama's second cousin Dr. Milton Wolf, a physician who opposes the current health care reform legislation, are scheduled to participate in the rally.

Voight who is among the few Hollywood conservatives said that "If they're bullied into saying 'yes,' it will destroy America", said Voight.

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Karen Hatter

at 09:18 on March 20th, 2010

Rory, here's a CSPAN link to text of health care legislation, HR 4872, Reconciliation Act of 2010.

If you know, Rory, to which specific parts are the rally participants objecting?

Rory Cripps

at 12:09 on March 20th, 2010

Karen: I'm sure that each organization that makes up the coalition of protesters has its own pet peeves re the current health care reform legislation. For example, I'm sure that 60-Plus is quite concerned with the projected $500 billion that will be taken from senior's Medicare and redistributed to those that currently are not on any health care plan per se.

But in general, all of the groups that make up the coalition are of one collective mind: They think that Obama's and the Democrats' proposed health care reform legislation sucks in general! More specifically they think that it will be detrimental to their current health care, will raise their taxes, put the country into even more debt than it's already in, and greatly increase the Federal Government's power and reach.

The problem for the proponents of Obama's health care reform plan is that there is not one bit of statistical, economic, historical, financial, and medical, evidence--i.e.no objective data out there--that can prove that the contentions on the part of those that are against the proposed health care reform legislation are wrong and vice versa.

That, together with the fact that every major poll indicates that more American voters and likely voters are against the proposed health care reform legislation than are for----and the extreme distrust of government that exists nowadays--just ignites the contentions against health care reform.

nanute

at 14:09 on March 20th, 2010

Rory, I think if you do a little unbiased research, you will find that the 500 million in "cuts" to Medicare will not be taken from senior's Medicare. What in fact will be happening is that Medicare-Advantage, which is the private insurance companies programs for seniors, will get less money to administer insurance for Medicare patients that chose private companies over the government run Medicare program. Benefits for seniors will not be diminished to pay for health care legislation.

The real irony here is that Republicans have been trying for years to rein in the cost associated with Medicare. Now all of a sudden, they are against the idea.

Rory Cripps

at 14:31 on March 20th, 2010

nanute: The $500 billion is just a projection that some tout. As I've stated in my response to Karen, there is no objective and reliable historical, statistical, economic, or medical data data out there that will confirm whether or not the current health care reform plan as put forth by the Obama Administration and the Democratic party will make things better or make things worse.

No one knows what the effect will be if the current health care legislation passes at this point. One would have to be omniscient to know. And anyone that claims that they know is either delusional or full of crap . . . .

YankeeJim

at 12:44 on March 20th, 2010

From the looks of smooth flowing traffic in the area, it isn't much of a crowd. Of course, there are War Protests going on too, as well as a lot of people sun tanning and playing outside today.

I am sure that Fox News has corralled some people for a good fake news shot.

Rory Cripps

at 14:20 on March 20th, 2010

Jim: That may well be true. But the facts are that more American voters and likely voters are against the current health care reform legislation than are for it. In other words, the Tea Party along with the other coalitions that are taking part in the anti-health care reform rally today are speaking for the majority of American voters and likely voters. And ultimately, the only thing that keeps a politician in office are votes come election day. Generally--and there is much scientific and statistical objective data to back it up--those that vote and are likely to vote are more educated and financially better off than those who typically don't vote.

Mary Richard

at 15:18 on March 20th, 2010

".. Tea Party along with the other coalitions that are taking part in the anti-health care reform rally today are speaking for the majority of American voters and likely voters."

You think?

Tea Party Protests: 'Ni**er,' 'Fa**ot' Shouted At Members Of Congress

Karen Hatter

at 15:42 on March 20th, 2010

Unbelievable, Mary.

Preceding the president's speech to a gathering of House Democrats, thousands of protesters descended around the Capitol to protest the passage of health care reform. The gathering quickly turned into abusive heckling, as members of Congress passing through Longworth House office building were subjected to epithets and even mild physical abuse.

A staffer for Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told reporters that Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) had been spat on by a protestor. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a hero of the civil rights movement, was called a 'ni--er.' And Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was called a "faggot," as protesters shouted at him with deliberately lisp-y screams. Frank, approached in the halls after the president's speech, shrugged off the incident.

But Clyburn was downright incredulous, saying he had not witnessed such treatment since he was leading civil rights protests in South Carolina in the 1960s.

Mary Richard

at 15:53 on March 20th, 2010

Let's not forget the spitting, Karen. I really don't think this "mob" represents the majority of American voters. Do you?

Karen Hatter

at 16:32 on March 20th, 2010

As much attention as these groups have been accorded, Mary, one may be tempted to believe they represent the majority but, they do not.

They may be representative of those spoken of in this excerpt:

The movement has also attracted members of the Council of Conservative Citizens, which supports some white supremacist causes, and from the John Birch Society and the LaRouchies. In a February 19 column in the Wall Street Journal, former Bush adviser Karl Rove described both as "fringe groups."

"If tea party groups are to maximize their influence on policy, they must now begin the difficult task of disassociating themselves from cranks and conspiracy nuts," Rove wrote. "This includes 9/11 deniers, 'birthers' who insist Barack Obama was not born in the United States, and militia supporters espousing something vaguely close to armed rebellion."

Rory Cripps

at 20:07 on March 20th, 2010

Karen: The majority of American voters and likely voters are against Obama's and the Democrats' health care reform legislation. That's the facts JACK!

Karen Hatter

at 12:15 on March 21st, 2010

Rory, those aligning with what is called the Tea Party movement do not represent the majority of Americans or their views, with most saying they don't know what the Tea Party movement is about.

Rory Cripps

at 18:10 on March 21st, 2010

Karen: HA! The Tea Party re health care reform represents the views of a majority of American voters and likely voters according to the polls. It's been that way for months now. No where did I say that the Tea Party represents the views of the majority of American voters on other issues. The key word here is voters and as it specifically applies to the current health care reform legislation. If you don't agree with the polls that's fine. Take it up with the pollsters.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll, taken Friday and Saturday nights, shows that 41% of likely voters favor the health care plan. Fifty-four percent (54%) are opposed. These figures have barely budged in recent months.

Date

Favor

Oppose

Mar 19-20

41%

54%

Mar 17

45%

52%

Mar 13-14

43%

53%

Mar 5-6

42%

53%

Feb 27-28

44%

52%

Feb 21-22

41%

56%

Feb 9-10

39%

58%

Jan 20-21

40%

58%

Jan 16-17

38%

56%

Jan 8-9

40%

55%

Jan 3

42%

52%

Dec 29

39%

58%

Dec 27

40%

55%

Dec 18-19

41%

55%

Dec 12-13

40%

56%

Dec 4-5

41%

51%

Nov 29

41%

53%

Nov 21-22

38%

56%

Nov 13-14

47%

49%

Nov 7-8

45%

52%

Oct 30-31

42%

54%

Oct 24-25

45%

51%

Oct 16-17

42%

54%

Oct 10-11

44%

50%

Oct 2-3

46%

50%

Sep 24-25

41%

56%

Sep 16-17

43%

56%

Sep 15-16

44%

53%

Sep 14-15

42%

55%

Sep 13-14

45%

52%

Sep 12-13

51%

46%

Sep 11-12

48%

Sep 10-11

47%

49%

Sep 9-10

46%

51%

Sept 8-9

44%

53%

Aug 25-26

43%

53%

Aug 9-10

42%

53%

Jul 26-27

47%

49%

Jul 20-21

44%

53%

Jul 10-11

46%

49%

Jun 27-28

50%

45%

Rory Cripps

at 20:04 on March 20th, 2010

Mary: That's the facts Jack! Look at the numbers, the polls, and the real-world math!

The facts are--no matter how much we don't like it-- the majority of American voters and likely voters are against Obama's and the Democrats' health care "reform" legislation.

That's the reality! It is what it is! And all the pro-health care reform propaganda is not going to change the minds of the American voters.

Karen Hatter

at 17:39 on March 20th, 2010

I do hope this is not typical of most Tea Party participants' understanding of how government works but, having said that, this is, well, it speaks for itself:

Thousands of self-styled Teabaggers marched on the Capitol today to make the point that, in the words of one of their number, "Voting has no place in Congress."

"Our forefathers designed Congress to be a place where people talked and talked and never got anything done," said Teabagger Tracy Klugian. "This whole voting thing that's going on Sunday is tantamount to a government takeover of Congress."

Monica F (not verified)

at 20:49 on March 20th, 2010

If this healthcare reform bill passes, prepare to be OPPRESSED BY THE GOOD OLE USA. That's right slowly our rights are being taken away and our government will tell you what you can do and can not do. Just watch, Education will be next, then the banks, and anything else they want to takeover. Our children are in BIG TROUBLE and they will wonder why we let this happen to them. GOD HELP US!

Rory Cripps

at 10:01 on March 21st, 2010

Monica F (not verified): Thanks for your comment. While I don't necessarily agree, you seem to be the only one commenting here that agrees in spirit with the majority of American voters and likely voters. Those that commented above seem to have drunk the kool aid as it were and no matter what the facts are re the American voter's stance on health care reform they refuse to accept those facts. You can't argue with them because they are completely and totally blinded by ideology. If you tell them that the sky is blue, they'll say that it's not.

I have presented the facts in the above story. The story is simply about Saturday's Tea Party protest rally and how those that are taking part in the rally feel about the proposed health care reform legislation. And most American voters and likely voters according to any number of polls are and have been against the proposed health care reform legislation for quite a while now. Those are the facts but the ideologues don't want to accept them.

bill corley (not verified)

at 10:09 on March 21st, 2010

can't find the route to send an item for agenda but, here goes........we need to hit the mark where it really has an impact and that's the sponsors of all news media. Discontinue subscriptions to all newspapers, magazines, etc and boycott all sponsors advertising in news media......let's make the newsmedia and all reporting factions manup and tell the truth from now on..........

Rory Cripps

at 10:22 on March 21st, 2010

bill corley (not verified): Thank you for your comment however I'm not quite sure what your point is re the proposed health care reform legislation.

"let's make the newsmedia and all reporting factions manup and tell the truth from now on.........."

Could you provide us with some examples where, in your opinion, the "truth" about the current proposed health care reform legislation is not getting out? In my opinion, I don't think anyone really knows the truth re the legislation at this point other than the fact that the Obama Administration and Democratic party are obsessed with getting the legislation passed.