How talented our U.S. Congressmen are -- they can talk down and look up at the same time!

I attended the town hall meeting on August 4th at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Worcester-area U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern and Richard E. Neal came --allegedly -- to talk about proposed health-care legislation. What they really came to do was to deign to be in the same room as the people who pay their salary, pretend to answer their questions and then return to Washington with a sigh of relief to vote as they had planned to in the first place.

Hundreds of constituents were arrayed above Neal and McGovern in an overflowing lecture hall. With a limited time for questions, both men managed to make plenty of time to pontificate on such burning issues as what a swell place U. Mass Medical Center is and, the fact that "we all should do what's in the best interest of our families." Gosh, why didn't I think of that? As they droned on, someone called out, "Don't waste my time," and the moderator chided, "The congressmen donated their time!" Excuse us, I thought, these guys work for whom?

As we entered, we were handed some helpful printed information including "Frequently Asked Questions on Health Reform." That's assuming we agree that it's "reform," but let's not quibble for now. There's room here for but one sample: "There has been a lot of talk among economist (sic) and Ph.d's. (sic)" The sheet goes on to explain the real reason for the fast growth of health care costs: "...it's a lot of new and a very expensive technology (sic), and patients demanding the latest and the best and the most expensive. That's a whole lot of what drives health-care costs in this country and around the world." I don't know or care what happens "around the world," especially since people come to the U.S. if they are very sick and can afford to, but I live in this reality: Of course we all want the latest and best technology, and of course it's expensive. We should find a way to get it to those who need it and can't afford it without ruining the coverage which everyone else wants to keep. A major reason that health care costs are up is that people live longer than they used to, and care for the elderly and chronically ill is extremely expensive.

With the clever tactic of the "don't get too close to me" pol, the Honorable Gentlemen took their questions from pre-screened, cherry-picked index cards, although shouted questions from frustrated voters were often too hard for even the most jaded incumbent to ignore. Were people rude? Some. A few were over-the-top. The fact is, the majority of Americans do not want this legislation, have never been given a good reason for it, and are afraid of losing their medical care and their rights, possibly their health.

The meeting proceeded from one falsehood to another, with Neal firing off more than his share: "If you like what you have, you get to keep it." "I don't start here with any rigid ideological position." "What we've agreed to is universal coverage, and conservative Republicans agree." "There is no rationing in the bill." (When the legislation is enacted, there will be.) When his answer to a question about illegal aliens being covered by the bill was "no," the audience was, shall we say, skeptical. Congressman Neal was being disingenuous at best on this, since legislation is in the works to provide almost instantaneous amnesty for illegal aliens, thus making those present in the U.S. now, in effect, covered. McGovern's bon mots included: "No one will be forced into the public plan" and "The old way is not the best way."

Neal also regaled the crowd with the story of his conversation with his son about how he does not want any "machines" used when his time comes, and his son's response, "Don't worry, I've talked to your other sons." Chuckle, chuckle. "This is a conversation," the good congressman then instructed us, "we should all have." Hmmm. Because you want the plug pulled, everyone else should? Are you hinting that it's in the best interest of the government that we just go gentle into that good night? (Apologies to Dylan Thomas). We were also told to "make good choices" for our health. Thanks so much. No wonder several in the crowd made reference to "Big Brother."

My favorite of the few actual q & a back-and-forths was a question about "Why the rush?" Neal again (I guess he's a bit of a road hog), "Obama is an architect." Nope, you can't make this stuff up. This one cracked me up, but the biggest laugh-getter for the home crowd was this one from McGovern, "The president won't sign a plan that will add to the deficit." That one nearly brought down the house. He followed with what he thought would silence those pesky tea-baggers, "Those of you who are happy with the status quo..." This was met with shouts of "85% don't want it!" and "That's a false choice!" and "Reform it, don't scrap it!" It must have killed those guys when they made a statement that wasn't true, and someone in the crowd was able to call out the page number in the bill where you can find the passage to refute it.

Neither man forgot his talking points about how we are being manipulated by the insurance companies. I with must have missed that memo. I overheard a hospital employee say that we were playing into the hands of the "billionaires." Food for thought!

In the interest of full disclosure, these are not my representatives. I went with a friend who lives in their district. But this issue affects us all. And unlike a certain first lady, I have been proud of my country on many occasions. This was one of them. People came to this town meeting in the spirit of the American Revolution, this time armed with facts and righteous indignation. The majority of Americans feel ambushed by the impending loss of control over their health care. No legislation without representation!

Ann Green is a free-lance writer.

[The Worcester Telegram has a report on the event here: Health care square-off. They appear to have changed the headline from the earlier "CONGRESSMEN TALK REFORM - McGovern, Neal booed at rally over health reform" -MS]