Ellsworth to conduct meeting by telephone

Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at 8:59 PM

U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth was asked at Tuesday's Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce meeting by Mike Seiwert to visit Spencer for a traditional town hall meeting.

The subject would be President Obama's healthcare reform proposal.

Ellsworth indicated he would like to do so, but would have to check with those who do his scheduling.

Some have been critical of Ellsworth and his one-on-one meetings concerning the healthcare reform proposal. Other members of Congress have been conducting face-to-face town hall meetings, and unfortunately some have gotten out of control.

Ellsworth hasn't scheduled any in-person town hall meetings since February. During this visit to the district he's been conducting one-on-one meetings instead, as well as roundtable discussions with local healthcare experts.

Ellsworth did announce Tuesday afternoon he will be hosting a telephone town hall to discuss healthcare reform.

The call will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). In order to comply with Indiana's automatic dial laws, those who wish to participate must sign up at the 8th District Online Office: www.ellsworth.house.gov.

"I've always said that we will never achieve real healthcare reform without giving all of the stakeholders in this debate a seat at the table," Ellsworth said. "I'm looking forward to hearing all sides in this conversation about how to fix the weaknesses in our current system, and I encourage the people of the 8th District to sign up, participate, and make their voices heard."

The telephone town hall will operate a lot like a traditional town hall format. Ellsworth will deliver an opening statement and then take questions about reforms to the healthcare system.

The telephone town hall is a continuation of Ellsworth's efforts to seek input on healthcare reform proposals being considered in Congress.

For more information on healthcare reform, visit the 8th District Online Office at www.ellsworth.house.gov and click on Understanding Health Care Reform. The Web site provides visitors with the full text of the House's version of the healthcare reform bill, proposed changes to the legislation, and information debunking common reform myths. You can also take Ellsworth's online health care survey.

Chris is the general manager/editor of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com .

Comments
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]

I sure hope I remember to phone in my vote for you in the next election! C'mon Congressman, meet your people face to face like a man and take your lumps! If you cannot accept the opinions and concerns of people in your own district, how can you represent us in Congress?

I hope the people of the 8th District remember this when it comes election time!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Posted by on the Blood trail on Thu, Aug 20, 2009, at 4:55 AM

You know that a politician is ashamed of their position on a matter when they are hiding during recess.

If their was a popular bill being brought forth, then he would be out here shaking hands and kissing babies.

I agree with "on the Blood Trail"...we will remember you the next time we vote...and your pal Evan Bayh, too.

As far as we are concerned the 8th District and Indiana's second Senate seat are available and up for grabs!

-- Posted by cow rancher on Thu, Aug 20, 2009, at 4:37 PM

I agree he should hold town hall meetings and face the people. However the radical element in our society is more to blame than he is. They are causing trouble by intentionly shouting the speakers down and in doing so they are keeping any meaningful discusions from taking place. Put the blame where it belongs.

-- Posted by hilltop on Thu, Aug 20, 2009, at 7:44 PM

To hilltop ... you mention the "rowdy element" ... how does Ellsworth know that people will be disrespectful unless he is willing to have an open forum?! This is such an important topic! He needs to remember who his constituents are; we are NOT rowdy nut cases here! We're just people who want the ear of OUR representative and have little hope that he reads, or is informed by his staff, about all of his mail, email and phone logs. I am a Republican and I respect that he voted against Cap & Trade (which will be a death blow to soooooo many business in the Midwest. Let's pray it doesn't pass in the Senate ...) He truly needs to hear what ALL of the voters have to say about Obama Care. Not just those chosen few who are pre-approved and selected to get to talk with him by phone.

-- Posted by JudyF on Thu, Aug 20, 2009, at 8:53 PM

I personally am thankful that there is a "you-don't-have-to-travel-or-be-forced-to-be-in-a-crowd-of-people" option being offered.

I cannot travel, am homebound pretty much in the heat of summer, and cannot be in a public forum with people who have everything from H1N1 to the common cold.

I hope this will be informative without Rep. Ellsworth having to talk over a bunch of screaming people. This "solution" seems to solve most of that. I don't know if it is the only solution, but for those of us who cannot attend a live townhall or public forum, this is appreciated.

-- Posted by Greenee on Fri, Aug 21, 2009, at 12:42 AM

Dairyman, where do I start?..............

Blood thirsty...hardly. What voters want are honest answers to tough questions. If people are misinformed, then just how do we get answers? From people like you? NOT! We cannot get answers from our congressmen, both democrat and republican alike.

Some people don't buy into the "baby-bird" theory of government. You know...we sit like little birds and wait for the big bird to fly into our nest and shove a big fat worm down our throats. This is exactly what Obama and the democrats are trying to do. Push something down our throats before anyone has a chance to understand what this healthcare business really is. I hardly see democrats lining up to voice their overwhelming support. Maybe it's time to name another Czar. That solution has worked well so far. We now have more Czars than Russia! Maybe that's what comrade Obama wants. And yes, you can report to the white house weasels that I said COMRADE OBAMA!

-- Posted by on the Blood trail on Mon, Aug 24, 2009, at 5:51 PM

on the Blood trail, where do I start?......

One Czar would be enough. Russia hasn't had a Czar since 1917. They made it permanent when communist killed off the whole blood line. Problem is we have zero. The term is widely thrown around these days...some police officers are referred to as drug czars...I suppose you have issue with them as well. Also, this isn't 1950. McCarthyism is dead! Lay off the communist banter.

I would agree that the public is very ill or uninformed on this bill. That is both sides fault. Democrats are keeping their cards close, while Republicans are throwing out misinformation to further confuse people. I wouldn't mind hearing Rep. Ellsworth's views on the bill, but I have no patience for people who want to vent and make a spectacle of themselves. They have the right to act like an idiot, but i have the right to listen and ask questions in a respectful manner too.

I don't want a lot of government control on heatlhcare, but the system does not work for a lot of people. Even for those people that think it works for them...they would be sadly mistaken in a crisis situation. Rather than berating one official, we should be questioning both sides.

-- Posted by GCC on Tue, Aug 25, 2009, at 11:19 AM

Do we not have a "Car Czar", a "Drug Czar", and a "TARP Czar?" I would like to think that McCarthyism was dead and gone...except the direction our country is moving is toward Socialism! And then what?

Maybe we should just phone in our questions or send them by email...better yet, let's infuse a ton of cash into the USPS by mailing them in. That way, our elected officials (D & R) can answer them without fear of being shouted at. You seem to think that healthcare is the only thing people are mad about. Folks are sick and tired of OUR government intruding into our everyday lives and telling us how we should live and die! "Government big enough to give us everything is big enough to take it all away!"

As far as berating one official, Ellsworth is OUR elected official. Doesn't matter if he is D or R, he needs to listen to our voice. Just because it may be loud, it still needs to be heard!

-- Posted by on the Blood trail on Tue, Aug 25, 2009, at 12:26 PM

I hate to burst your bubble, but socialist programs have been a part of the United States for a long time.

I have no problem hearing someone ask the tough question, but glorifying these people who just yell is a waste of time. Polarizing the issue just pulls people farther apart.

Until an insurance provider drops you or informs you that your expert doctors are wrong and they will not pay for your life saving surgery, don't be so sure about your stance on healthcare. The issue is too many people have no healthcare or get jerked around by insurance companies. The system has major flaws.

Everyone knows our current healthcare system doesn't work for everyone, but nobody seems intent on fixing it. Should the government have to get involved...in a perfect world...NO, but they do. From things as important as Civil Rights to things as trivial as professional sports...Government has stepped in. Results have been mixed.

-- Posted by GCC on Tue, Aug 25, 2009, at 11:31 PM

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