From wire, staff reports



Chanting “Kill the bill,” thousands of conservatives rallied at the U.S. Capitol in Washinton on Thursday against the Democrats’ health care overhaul plan, labeling it a government takeover of the nation’s medical system.

Meanwhile, about 30 protesters rallied in front of Rep. Sanford Bishop’s Thomasville office at 137 E. Jackson St. for a fourth straight day.

Called the Freedom Line, the group is vehemently opposed to the the reform bills making their way through Congress. It conducted several rallies last summer at the same location, twice drawing more than 200 people who are concerned about the cost of the proposals and a perceived threat to their liberty.

“This bill is the greatest threat to freedom that I have seen,” House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio told the crowd gathered on the lawn near the West Front of the Capitol.

The protest attracted many of the so-called Tea Party demonstrators angry with increased spending and an expanded government role under the Obama administration. Their signs ranged from the harsh, “Waterboard Congress,” to an echo of the rallying cry at August town halls with lawmakers, “Vote no to government-run health care.”

Freedom Line organizer Kim Weckwert said three Thomasvillians made the trip. She had not heard from them as of early Thursday afternoon.

Freedom Line member Tonya McCorkle of Thomasville said foes of the legislation need to speak up now. During an interview in front of Bishop’s office, she said she is confident her voice is being heard by those in power.

“These bills would have already passed if it wasn’t for people like (the Freedom Line) protesting in July and August (during a congressional recess),” she said.

Inside the Capitol, legislative action continued in the House and the Senate.

The White House downplayed the rally. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs criticized a Republican reform plan, saying it wouldn’t reduce government cost of health care and includes “old ideas.”

“There’s a rally going on without a solution on their side,” Gibbs said.



Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman and Ann Sanner contributed to this report.