I just had an opportunity to read my paper. Here are some excerpts from the Minneapolis StarTribune some times refered to as The Red Star.
Article Aug. 6, 2009 - Democrats getting an earful on health care during recess
From the Article:
First District U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn.
Farmfest is typically a genial event -- a stop elected and aspiring officials consider an easy political must-do.
But at this year's gathering in rural Redwood Falls, as First District U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., put in an appearance, an audience member declared loudly that plans for national health reform were a "step toward communism."
Walz, a veteran, shot back: "I didn't spend 24 years in the military to be called a Communist, I can tell you that."
Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn our resident Muslim)
A similarly harsh reception confronted Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn), when he struggled for control of the microphone at what should have been a friendly meeting on health care reform at a north Minneapolis clinic.
Fourth District Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn)
Fourth District Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn) felt the wrath from both ends of the spectrum at a Highland Park get-together, when one participant questioned why they couldn't get single-payer health care while another bluntly told McCollum: "I don't trust you, I don't trust the Republicans, I don't trust Democrats, I don't trust conservatives, liberals, or politicians with my health care. I trust two people, that's me and my doctor."
Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar
Other Minnesota representatives will attend smaller events, with stops at local cafes, restaurants and hospitals, as well as roundtables with affected groups. John Schadl, a spokesman for Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar, said his boss prefers public meetings that are more structured. "A public forum is much more productive if you -- obviously open it to the public -- but in addition to that reach out to constituency groups that are impacted and bring in panels of experts who can talk about the issue and shed some light on it."
Pat Anderson (R), a former Minnesota state auditor
Pat Anderson, a former Minnesota state auditor who helped coordinate the Tea Party protests earlier this year, said Washington-based politicians do not understand the grass-roots movement they are encountering. "They assume that somebody is behind it and it's hard for them to get their hands around the fact that it's completely grass-roots and that it's done by new forms of communications," she said. "There is no funding, no PACs (political action committees) behind it. It's all volunteer."
The Minnesota State Fair
Even if further formal town hall meetings don't materialize this summer, there is one sticky, sweaty icon of democracy left where citizens can let politicians know what they think. The State Fair looms Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. That's "the state's largest town hall" of all, said Linden Zakula, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's spokesperson.