The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that nearly 200 people attended the meeting, eagerly waiting to hear what Lujan had to say.
This crowd was pleased that Lujan remained steadfast in his support for a public option to health care -- although this plan has run into problems in the US Senate. Most reports of the meeting have stated that despite the overflow crowd and the contentious nature of the issue, the public was respectful and orderly -- and the Representative was attentive and engaged. So much so that all three panel members in the Town Hall meeting (including Lujan) agreed to hold a second meeting to accommodate those who could not get into the crowded room for the first meeting.
The Representative characterized the event as one which was "a point of pride . . . that focused on the substance of health insurance reform."
So why should this meeting be held as the standard for other town hall meetings nationwide? Simply because it was just that -- a meeting between a Representative and his constituents. Nothing more, nothing less.
For their part, the participants, even those who were opposed to reform efforts, were civil, orderly and left behind their signs, their misinformation and most importantly their guns. For his part, Rep. Lujan was engaged with his constituents and went on to ensure that all who came were offered a forum to voice their concerns.
As other town halls occur across New Mexico, the DPNM hopes that they are as successful as Rep. Lujan's -- no doubt showing other states and members of Congress that New Mexicans are more concerned with maintaining a healthy participatory democracy than getting on the news for pulling stunts.
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Amazing how when I called on Thursday to ask about a town hall, I was told that his schedule was set months in advance and there was not room in it for a town hall. The very next day he announced a town hall in Santa Fe. There is a reason the far left health care reform is failing, it is too expensive, won't work, and will lead to health care rationing.
ReplyDeleteLujan's parrot like mimicing of Obama's sell-out position on ALL issues are making me so sick that no healthcare reform will ever cure me.
ReplyDeleteCut military spending and pay for American children's health care. Paying for the bombing kids in Gaza, Iraq and Afganistan does not make American children healthier. Instead of going on "Homeland Security" junkets Lujan should visit our local sick kids in the hospital here in Santa Fe ... oh, I forgot, local kids can't afford medical care in Santa Fe.