With the health care debate headed toward another showdown in the U.S. House, the fight spilled out on opposite sides of Fayetteville Street in Raleigh on Thursday with competing rallies, chants, speeches and signs.
Members of the Tea Party movement and other opponents of President Barack Obama's health care proposal staged a lunch time rally across the street from the office of Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, who last year voted for the Democratic health care bill, but has not taken a position on the upcoming vote, Rob Christensen reports.
About 40 people carried signs that read "Obamacare is bad medicine" or "How Long Will Congress Ignore the Will of the People" or waving flags with the inscription "Live free or die."
The national Democratic Party, not wanting opponents to dominate the rallies as they did at the town hall meetings last summer, quickly organized a much larger counter demonstration in front of Etheridge's office.
About 220 supporters of Democratic health care reforms, chanted "Thank you Bob" and carried signs such as "Health Insurance Insurance Reform Now" and "Health Care Can't Wait."
The crowds were peaceful, although separated by a hefty police presence.
Obama supporters would chant: "Yes we can."
Opponents would reply: "No you can't."
At one point, the health care supporters broke into a chant: "Fox News sucks."
Comments
Hah! Majority
March 12, 2010 - 7:48am — Reagan4PresOh, I see the libtards came out in the dark.
The majority? Marci, you are once again trying to distort the facts with your childish ranting. The majority in America do NOT want Obiecare, or anything to do with your juvenile socialism. Grow up boy.
The people have spoken!
March 11, 2010 - 11:11pm — chrisjaunThe people have spoken! 5-1 in favor of health care reform. Come on Congress, lets get the job done and deliver on your promise to the American people.
NICE
March 11, 2010 - 10:14pm — marcedward1So the anti-health flash-mob was overwhelmed by Real Americans!
LOL
I hope all our legislators, including Senator Burr, side with the American people and not insurance executives.
Is.....
March 11, 2010 - 10:06pm — Hot_E_lib_girl"suckatroinc" a word?
http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx
I suggest another poll.
March 11, 2010 - 8:16pm — IWonderIt would be interesting what a poll would produce if presented by the N&O. Personally, I don't wish to risk prison for not having paid in to a bunch of junk like social security. Please, N&O let's see how smart and self-reliant your readers are. As is, the health plan is far too abstract to be worthy of my money. Socialism: bah, hum-bug. Let the meek die or owe money, I don't wish to pay for a retard.
Can we count?
March 11, 2010 - 7:43pm — Hot_E_lib_girlNo. Does that matter?
Can you folks count?
March 11, 2010 - 7:00pm — TOPASSISTANT220 vs 40? I do not think so!
The fight?
March 11, 2010 - 4:45pm — Reagan4Pres"..the fight spilled out on opposite sides of Fayetteville Street..."
I think that calling this a fight is a little bit exaggerated.
"The crowds were peaceful,"
I suppose that many of the chanters were disgruntled because they couldn't afford cable so that they could watch Fox News. Maybe if they would get a job, they could not only afford their health care, but cable news also. Of course, they could always ask Obie for some money out of his stash.
Its Peaceful Now
March 11, 2010 - 4:42pm — PretzelManBut if Congress and this joke BO the Clown cram this down our throats it might not be for long...