More than 100 people were turned away from Tuesday morning’s listening session on health care reform at the Thompson Community Center in Appleton. Bill Foth of Freedom, one of the people who wasn’t allowed into the packed room, says he’s frustrated that he wasn’t able to voice his displeasure about the proposed health care program to Congressman Steve Kagen. “We’re going to spend trillions of dollars we don’t have,” says Foth. “These yahoos in Congress don’t seem to understand we are bankrupt.”Most of the people at the hearing shared Foth’s opposition to the health care reform bill, but Kagen says he still thinks it could be a good idea.
Becky Green was one of the few people who spoke in favor of the reforms. “My husand lost his job after 28 years . . . and with his job went our health care,” says Green. “We need health care reform now.”
Kagen says despite overwhelming opposition from people at the Appleton hearing, he may still vote for the reforms if he feels that it’s in the public’s best interest. Many people shouted their displeasure with Kagen and the proposed reforms, but the crowd was not as unruly as one in Green Bay during a similar listening session Monday. At that event, Green Bay police officers were called in to keep order.
AUDIO: Rep. Kagen & constituents at Appleton hearing (2:25 MP3)
Submitted by Rick Schuh, WHBY
