Mark Lastinger
THOMASVILLE — President Obama dialed at least one wrong number when he called on Americans to “Make your voice heard now!” regarding health care reform.
Obama’s recent challenge was designed to rally support for his proposal. However, it riled the Freedom Line, which plans to camp outside Rep. Sanford Bishop’s office at 137 E. Jackson St. on Friday from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. The group, which has gathered in front Bishop’s office several times since last summer, is vehemently against a pair of bills that are on the verge of merging into law after languishing in Congress for months.
“Will it do any good? I don’t know,” Freedom Line organizer Kim Weckwert said. “But I do know for months now, as an informed and responsible citizenry, Americans around the country have and continue to uphold our end of the bargain by calling, e-mailing, faxing, writing and taking to the streets with voices raised and posters, informative flyers and petitions in hand to make our wishes known and our voices heard.”
Last fall, after a series of contentious town hall meetings in the Second Congressional District and around the nation, Bishop voted for HR 3962 — the “Affordable Health Care for America Act” that passed through the House of Representatives by a 220-215 vote.
“The overwhelming majority of reputable national polls and research agencies all indicate that, while Americans want health care reform, we don’t want the pieces of legislation that Congress is offering up,” Weckwert said. “In other words: We don’t want this bill! What part of ‘no’ does Congress and our President not understand? These are highly educated and intelligent people, aren’t they?
“Due to their response to the American people, I’d say that both are questionable, at best!”
The Freedom Line, which grew to more than 200 members a couple of times last summer, is primarily opposed to the cost of the bill. Democrats claim it will cost $900 billion. Independent analysts say it will cost between $1.3 trillion and $2.4 trillion.
Weckwert said, “When the Freedom Line takes to the streets, I hope that Sanford Bishop not only hears but listens to the message we are sending him — live up to your responsibility as an elected official and represent your district by voting ‘no’ on this health care bill or be prepared to hear the sound of defeat at the ballot box this November. After all, one of the duties of an informed and responsible citizenry is to remove ineffective and irresponsible elected officials from office, especially those officials who would circumvent the will of the people by imposing their own will and wishes upon those he swore to serve. Too bad for Bishop that we here in south Georgia take our duties seriously.
“November can’t get here soon enough as far as I’m concerned.”
Weckwert said some Freedom Line members will sport red T-shirts on Friday.
