On Saturday August 8, 2009 my wife, children, and I attended a town hall meeting held by US Congressman John Adler, DEMOCRAT, Representative for New Jersey 3rd District. We arrived shortly after the meeting began, signed in, and found seats in the back of the assembly room, which was roughly the size of a gym. Few seats remained empty and people lined the perimeter walls. Essentially it was standing room only.
Adler was speaking when we walked in and was touting what he saw as problems with the current health system. I heard him offer slight praise for health systems in other countries, at which point a chorus of booing erupted. Adler quickly noted that the United States still has the best health care system in the world and the booing turned to applause.
Several times throughout the meeting Adler made it clear that he was OPPOSED to the health care bill and would vote AGAINST it.
He stated that he was against offering health care to illegal immigrants.
He stated that he thinks the health care bill would bankrupt the United States.
He stated that he was opposed to TARP but was not around to vote against it and that he voted against additional funding earlier this year. He also stated that he thinks business should be allowed to fail.
At the end of his comments, which took about 20 minutes, the audience was asked to line up to ask him questions. Many people lined up to ask questions and Adler took time to give direct and complete answers. Only 1 hour was allotted for the meeting, and as a result, several people did not get to ask a question. One person expressed his displeasure by shouting at Adler and begging him to stay longer. When finally given an opportunity to speak at the microphone, this person noted that he would “gladly give a little more money if it meant health care would be provided to all Americans”, to which someone shouted, “No one is stopping you from giving more!”
Also in line was an elderly woman who said that she whatever is done, should be done in a slow, thoughtful and fiscally sound manner. Then she held up a book of COMMON SENSE and said that everyone in the room should read that book. Many people applauded.
There were just a few outbursts. A single police officer was present. The only time he moved around was to ask the person that was shouting for more time to settle down. One man appeared very distressed and repeatedly snapped out loud for all of those booing to shut up. A few of those who were booing within earshot turned and told him to shut up. Other than that it was an orderly meeting.
Someone in line proclaimed that he had read the entire bill and cited word for word from a section in the bill that would exclude people with special needs. Adler appeared stunned at what was read, stated he was not aware of that section, and then restated that he would vote AGAINST the bill.
Adler had another town hall meeting to attend in Riverside, NJ, but he stayed later than the appointed time and talked face to face to many people as he slowly made his way to the exit.
http://adler.house.gov/http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2312223/posts
