U.S. Congressman Schrader (D) Oregon Health Care Town Hall Part 2

Saturday, March 13, 2010. Billed as a Town Hall Meeting regarding the health care bill, Rep. Kurt Schrader (D) Oregon, was initially meeting with just a person or two at a time, closed door. People signed up to speak with the congressman and were staged in a waiting room with about 20 chairs. Each person or small group was given 5 minutes to converse and then exited as the next person was brought in. These mini-meetings started at noon and having a funeral to attend at 2pm in Salem, it was decided that Rep. Schrader would speak to the remaining group for 15 minutes from 12:45 to 1PM. This event was held at a small, local library during operating hours as patrons were attempting to read magazines and copy recipes from cookbooks. The format, location and "impromptu" meeting in a tight small corner of the library was meant, I'm sure, to keep control of raised and empassioned voices. One poor guy who was not part of the group had fallen asleep as the meeting / debate went on around him. Rep. Schrader spent less than 10 minutes in this group forum before leaving. He did promise to meet individually with everyone who had signed up to speak when he returns in April. . .conveniently after voting on the health care bill will probably be over. A local chapter of Americans For Prosperity, a conservative group, had a peaceful protest outside with several members engaging peacefully as part of the discussion inside as well. - John Swyers

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