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The Mechanics
« Dan Seals Should Be Happy, Mark Kirk...Not So Much FOIA, TIFs, and Disarmament by Transparency »

Federal Government Tue Aug 11 2009

A Mob of Senior Citizens

Via Reason:

Former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski (once the chairman of the US House's Ways & Means Committee) back in 1989 was chased down by some senior citizens protesting legislation, Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act. They complained that they had to pay more taxes for the additional benefits. Rostenkowski seemed more rattled by the citizens than some of the Senators facing their own angry mobs in the current health care debate.

If only we had those types of contentious townhalls here. I can't argue about the people putting their politicians to the fire!

 
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Ramsin / August 12, 2009 12:20 PM

I think Pelosi meant it was unamerican to shout down debate, not to debate itself. It's very American debate, it's thuggish to shout at people and call them liars and traitors.

Also...Ted Kennedy doesn't go to Canada because he can afford the best treatment. Instead of trying to bring Congress down to the terrible health care you are admitting we all have, why not just lift everybody up to the higher standard?

Oh, because you just hate the evil demmy'crats with their lib'rul ways. Got it.

Cheryl / August 13, 2009 2:41 PM

Of course the Republicans have to frame it as Pelosi is trying to stymie free speech. Lies and distortions are all they have.

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Feature

Parents Still Steaming, but About More Than Just Boilers

By Phil Huckelberry / 2 Comments

It's now been 11 days since the carbon monoxide leak which sent over 80 Prussing Elementary School students and staff to the hospital. While officials from Chicago Public Schools have partially answered some questions, and CPS CEO Forrest Claypool has informed that he will be visiting the school to field more questions on Nov. 16, many parents remain irate at the CPS response to date. More...

Civics

Substance, Not Style, the Source of Rahm's Woes

By Ramsin Canon / 2 Comments

It's not surprising that some of Mayor Emanuel's sympathizers and supporters are confusing people's substantive disputes with the mayor as the effect of poor marketing on his part. It's exactly this insular worldview that has gotten the mayor in hot... More...

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About Mechanics

Mechanics is the politics section of Gapers Block, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints and beliefs of Chicagoans and Illinoisans. More...
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