# These town hall meetings have been interesting **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 23, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549 "2017-02-23T13:53:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/41 "2017-02-23T20:01:37Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Ya know what? I am really sick of the assumption that I have no idea what it is like to be poor just because I am tired of paying almost 40% tax to support them. I was BORN poor (my parents were idiots) and I left home at 18 to get away from abuse and ended up living well under the poverty level for several years. With poor people. > > Now days, I am middle class tho the husband is close to retiring so we may end up losing that. I live across the street from a family in a $600,000 home whose kids got free lunches at school for awhile because their public situation was that they didn’t have enough money to pay their mortgage and car payments. Except there were five adults living in that three bedroom house, so they had plenty of money to feed their three kids lunch, they just didn’t tell the schools that they had income from three more people. I know many people who get around half their income under the table. I know a woman whose 14 year old had a baby and then moved in with the dad after about four months, yet all of the freebies for the baby kept coming to grandmas house. She used to joke about getting so much stuff they had to throw it out. Etc. People game the system. > > It has nothing to do with what I think of people in the US or anywhere. I am just wondering if the glowing reports on how well universal healthcare works elsewhere is happening in the same situation we have here. Are people in other countries paying ridiculously high taxes to support people who just blither thru life without a plan? If you really wanted to learn about those other countries, you could look it up. You’ve certainly got the time. I don’t, right now. But this is the pit, so I just want to ask if you’re still receiving Social Security Disability. And you really need to meet some better people. You’re certainly a great ally for that Farnaby guy… ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/42 "2017-02-23T20:20:32Z")
Where were all these angry people back in say, November of last year? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/43 "2017-02-23T20:22:47Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Where were all these angry people back in say, November of last year? Deluding themselves that Donald Trump cared about their problems and would “drain the swamp” of corrupt venal elites who only care about enriching business interests and the wealthy. No, I have no idea what they were smoking either, but it must have been some pretty powerful shit. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/44 "2017-02-23T20:26:32Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Where were all these angry people back in say, November of last year? Voting to get rid of that pinko commie socialist Obamacare so they wouldn’t have to pay any more taxes on the money they saved under the ACA. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/45 "2017-02-23T20:31:29Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > Let’s be fair - Mr. Gohmert makes it clear in his statement that he’s no chickenshit about physical violence, he’s doing this to protect us _civilians_ Protect them from what – exposure to his stupidity? Anyway, check out [Gabby Giffords’ response](https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/834855781354848257) to Lily-Livered Louie. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/46 "2017-02-23T20:31:56Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Where were all these angry people back in say, November of last year? Being fooled by the right wing media that the conservatives have their best interests at heart. We should all be gladdened that the politicians themselves have taken it upon themselves to campaign against themselves. We spent years trying to point out that they are self serving liars, but these people didn’t believe us. Now that they are being told that by the very politicians they just voted for, it may be easier to get them to come around. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/47 "2017-02-23T20:33:10Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Deluding themselves that Donald Trump cared about their problems and would “drain the swamp” of corrupt venal elites who only care about enriching business interests and the wealthy. > > No, I have no idea what they were smoking either, but it must have been some pretty powerful shit. In Northern Minnesota they’re praying the Trump fixes things so they can get jobs and insurance and their kids stop moving away. I leave the reader to determine the wisdom of this plan. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/48 "2017-02-23T20:35:51Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > In Northern Minnesota they’re praying the Trump fixes things so they can get jobs and insurance and their kids stop moving away. I leave the reader to determine the wisdom of this plan. Might as pray for annexation by Canada. ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/49 "2017-02-23T20:36:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > You really are a fucking moron, aren’t you? By moron, do you mean honest? I suspect your vocabulary is lacking which leads you to use big words incorrectly. Slee ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/50 "2017-02-23T20:38:12Z")
Plus Gohmert represents Texans. Isn’t their entire identity tied up in machismo? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/51 "2017-02-23T20:44:56Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > By moron, do you mean honest? > > I suspect your vocabulary is lacking which leads you to use big words incorrectly. > > Slee Forget to sign out of one account before replying with your sock? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/52 "2017-02-23T20:52:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Plus Gohmert represents Texans. Isn’t their entire identity tied up in machismo? That whole “tying up” thing is mostly a citified perversion, but all forms of cowgirl are met with cheerful enthusiasm. And Texans can tie knots just as good as anybody else, so don’t even go there! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/53 "2017-02-23T21:04:26Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > By moron, do you mean honest? [**sleestak** , talking about white working-class voters on 10-13-2016](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19697438&postcount=56): > [@sleestak](#): > > How about trying to understand instead of calling them stupid and trying to fix them? Understand why they are pissed. Understand that calling them stupid doesn’t help. Understand that they do have problems and believe that the government isn’t even trying to address their problems. **sleestak** , talking about white working-class voters on 02-23-2017: When **WillFarnaby** calls them entitled ungrateful tantrum-throwing children for complaining about Republican attacks on affordable healthcare, he’s just being “honest”. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/54 "2017-02-23T21:07:27Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > No. fuck her for feeling entitled to free things and showing no appreciation. How is it free when she’s paying for it? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/55 "2017-02-23T21:12:12Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > YaIt has nothing to do with what I think of people in the US or anywhere. I am just wondering if the glowing reports on how well universal healthcare works elsewhere is happening in the same situation we have here. Are people in other countries paying ridiculously high taxes to support people who just blither thru life without a plan? Tell me, how does a person freeload on _health insurance_ the way these people you (allegedly) know freeload on school lunches? Are they showing up at the hospital to get free chemotherapy just for kicks? Getting bones set that weren’t actually broken? Going to the doctor for checkups every week for kicks? ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/56 "2017-02-23T21:25:51Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Where were all these angry people back in say, November of last year? Is this supposed to be a knock on the people attending town halls, protesting, and the like? I’m confused what point you’re trying to make here. Depending on what you mean, I certainly have plausible answers. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/57 "2017-02-23T21:36:31Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > Is this supposed to be a knock on the people attending town halls, protesting, and the like? I’m confused what point you’re trying to make here. Depending on what you mean, I certainly have plausible answers. I think it’s “where were they” meaning a hundred thousand of them and we might not have a trump regime. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/58 "2017-02-23T21:36:51Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > Is this supposed to be a knock on the people attending town halls, protesting, and the like? I’m confused what point you’re trying to make here. Depending on what you mean, I certainly have plausible answers. I think it is referring to Trump voters or otherwise republican supporters who are now angry that their views are being ignored. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/59 "2017-02-23T21:38:21Z")
My question wasn’t meant to be a knock on anyone, it was a genuine question, if rather flippantly expressed. Many of these congressmen and women won their districts by large margins. Are these protestors then a very vocal minority (of the district) or do they represent the views of the residents but for whatever reason did not vote in 2016? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549/60 "2017-02-23T21:47:32Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Many of these congressmen and women won their districts by large margins. Are these protestors then a very vocal minority (of the district) or do they represent the views of the residents but for whatever reason did not vote in 2016? Alternatively, are they voters who optimistically supported these Republican candidates in the belief that the candidates would look out for their constituents’ interests, and are now angry at finding out that that’s not the case? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-town-hall-meetings-have-been-interesting/780549.md?page=4)