This Week in the Mercury

Sold Out

Columns

Sold Out

The Specialty Store


I, Anonymous

Columns

I, Anonymous

Breeder on Board



  |  

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Politics "Wake up Wyden!" — Protest for Public Health Plan

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 1:42 PM

Fifty people gathered outside the downtown federal building today during the lunching hour, shouting up to the fifth floor, “Wake up Wyden! Why are you hidin’?!” U.S. Senator Ron Wyden is not here in Portland today—right now he’s back in Washington, defending his health care plan to a finance committee that will be making major decisions this week about whether his and other healthcare plans up for debate are actually viable.

Wyden’s plan has roused the ire of health care reform groups for not including any public option, but he refuses to drop the idea and sign onto Obama's plan. “Lobbyists out! Americans in!” shouted the crowd, referencing the view that Wyden’s plan is shaped more by the desires of big pharma lobbyists than his constituents (a timely discussion given our “Rate the Lobbyists” feature this week). A MoveOn.org representative delivered Wyden’s secretary a 7,000-signature petition demanding a public option.
5a99/1247171635-wyden_protest.jpg

Waving hello to Wyden's office.

e550/1247171464-healthcare_protest.jpg
Marcia Spencer and sign-waving friends in front of the federal building.

Except for the few minutes of chanting, the crowd was pretty quiet for a protest. They had to lean in to hear the sordid stories of insurance companies told over a crackly megaphone. “House payment or health care?” asked Portland resident Marcia Spencer, after she says the cost of her two-person family health plan with Kaiser jumped from $724 to $1000 a month with no notice. “I felt like they were holding us hostage. Senators need to draw a line in the sand and represent the people who voted for them.”

 

Comments (10) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
'Yeah man ... back in the 60s we protested and were able to, umm, yeah ... never mind'
Posted by D on July 9, 2009 at 1:53 PM · Report
2
yeah man... ummm...why would anyone want health care anyway...i mean... its so dumb for people to give a shit and try to do at last something... i ummm...mean...i can't believe how they're dressed! its so not cool... i mean...yeah...ummm
Posted by granola on July 9, 2009 at 2:46 PM · Report
3
It's not about health -care- it's about health -insurance-
Now show me the results of their labors.
Posted by D on July 9, 2009 at 3:03 PM · Report
4
so because there are no tangible results (yet) people should just sit back and let the insurance companies continue to rip off the american people? at least they are trying to do something where as you sit on your ass and deride people for exercising their right to free speech. and it is about health care...which is a right for all people.
Posted by granola on July 9, 2009 at 3:22 PM · Report
5
No, I'm dissing people for the washed up notion of the 'protest' which is not actually 'doing something' and they richly deserve it.
Posted by D on July 9, 2009 at 3:36 PM · Report
6
tell that to the people of iran.
Posted by granola on July 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM · Report
7
Compare this to the people of Iran. Not quite the same as in open and democratic society.
Posted by D on July 9, 2009 at 5:42 PM · Report
8
So... what would it take to recall Ron Wyden also?
Posted by LokNaar on July 10, 2009 at 3:17 PM · Report
9
When is the next protest. Ron Wyden's plan is not good for Oregon or the American people. It appears Ron has sold his
soul to the devil.

Maybe we should vote him out, After we pass Health Care
Reform. Yes We Can! and we will pass Reform with-out Wyden's help.
Posted by beautifulportland on July 20, 2009 at 5:25 PM · Report
10
One would think there would be at least a handful of petitions out there to recall this guy. Searching the web I saw not even one, which is amazing considering that Wyden doesn't give a hoot about the plight of Oregonians, much less the country. He is a disgrace to this state.
Posted by JC2 on August 5, 2009 at 12:25 PM · Report

Add a comment

Our Friends

Our Enemies

/images/adoftheweek.gif

ad of the day

The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.go


post an ad

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use