Members of a so-called "Tyranny Response Team" are trying to tell Congress the Democrats' trillion-dollar plan for a government takeover of health care isn't needed, isn't wanted, probably isn't constitutional and isn't going to happen.
The cross-spectrum of American citizens gathering at the Capitol in Washington yesterday was epitomized by one gray-haired man rushing towards the Capitol holding the American flag, wearing blue jeans and a shirt emblazoned with "Tyranny Response Team."
They assembled at the invitation of Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and others to express united opposition to the health-care proposal, scheduled for a vote as early as this weekend.
Estimates of attendance at the event ranged as high as 20,000 by those who were there.
Bachmann was interrupted during her address by chants of "Kill the bill. Kill the bill. Kill the bill," as shown in this exclusive WND video:
"The biggest voice is your voice, the voice of the American people," she said.
She quoted from the writings of Abigail Adams, wife of the nation's second president, John Adams. Bachmann said Abigail Adams wrote, "After all we've done, I wonder if generations unborn will ever know what was done for them, the sacrifice, the toil, the blood, the treasure, the heartache, what was spent to secure their liberty and their freedom."
Bachmann said Abigail Adams "knew it was worth the cost."
She's concerned about a Democratic plan that requires consumers to buy specified health insurance and the government's own insurance offering that will "compete" with private companies.
Many critics of the plan have contended the takeover of health care is a key to the advance of socialism in the U.S.
"For 233 years, every generation that has come … has faithfully handed the baton of freedom to the next generation," Bachmann said. "Now we are that privileged generation."
Actor and businessman John Ratzenberger, best known for his role in the sitcom "Cheers," expressed the thoughts of many at the rally.
Washington health care opposition rally (Photo: Anita Crane) |
"What we have to remember is, for every working man and woman in this great country, that these people who are trying to force this health-care bill upon us are not the philosophical descendants of John Kennedy and Tip O'Neill," he said. "They're the philosophical descendants of Abbie Hoffman [and] Saul Alinsky."
Ratzenberger continued, "We have to remember where their philosophy comes [from]. It doesn't come from America – it comes from overseas – from socialism. And socialism is a philosophy of failure: the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy. 'Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.' I've got to thank Winston Churchill for that quote and I thank you all for being here. God bless us all."
Is the message getting through? Very definitely, according to observers. But is it being accepted?
Teri Christoph of Burke, Va., wrote on her SmartGirlNation.com site of her attempt to get the opinion of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., on the record.
She says she went to his office and filled out a constituent form.
"As I returned the form to the young staffer, I took out my Flip, started recording and asked him if someone from the office would appear on video and explain Congressman Connolly's position. The staffer said I needed press credentials to videotape. I told him I was just an average citizen, not the media and had at no point been told (or seen a sign) that video cameras were not allowed. At this point, a man came out of an office and stood behind the staffer in a not so friendly way. When I questioned about the need for press credentials, this man came forward and demanded to know if I was a constituent of the 11th District, which I am and have been for more than 20 years," she wrote.
Washington health-care opposition rally (Photo: Anita Crane) |
"He insisted that I needed to have press credentials and very deliberately pushed his body – in an aggressive way – against my right arm, which was holding the camera. I was astonished that he had been so brazen and told him so. He then proceeded to threaten me with calling the police. I asked for his name several times, and the bully would only tell me 'George.' Since I was standing at the front desk of the office, I found a stack of business cards and lo and behold, our bully is the director of communications for Rep. Gerry Connolly, one George Burke," she reported.
Chiropractor Andy Daniele of Farmingdale, N.J., and his friend Kevin Stafford of Eatontown arrived with several messages for their House representative and all members of Congress. They consider this week's election results a warning to all politicians, and so they wore T-shirts saying "Liberty Equals Limited Government" on the front and "VA! NJ! DC Next!" on the back.
The GOP took key gubernatorial race victories in Virginia and New Jersey this week.
"I just came hoping they don't mess things up too much. I'm looking to see how long it would take for Sarah Palin to fix this mess," Daniele said.
Cal and Frank Pasqua drove to Washington from Brooklyn, N.Y., with the rest of their family. Cal, a musician who travels the world, played "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipes at the rally.
"We're here mainly protesting the amount of spending that this government is doing around the world. We're highly against any unconstitutional wars. And unfortunately, through the Federal Reserve, we have a system that is printing money out of thin air," he said.
David Medley of Louisville, Ky., said he's totally opposed to the takeover of health care.
"But the main thing," he said, "is abortion funding. I'm doing this for my kids and grandkids."
WND editor Joseph Farah urged citizens who could not attend the rally to send "pink slips" to every member of Congress.
Bachmann said Americans sent a crucial message to Congress, making it clear that they do not support the Democrats' health "reform."
"We Republicans can't stop the passage," she said. "But with resistance from the American people, I am fully confident it can be defeated."