Letter: Sharing progressive views at town halls

Graphic by Lori Deaton

Given that Asheville is a blue wavelet in a red congressional sea (N.C. Districts Nos. 10 and 11), I’m surprised Rep. Patrick McHenry still holds town hall meetings in Asheville, as reported in Mountain Xpress: “McHenry, Buncombe Residents Clash at Riceville Town Hall” [Aug.7]. At least McHenry shows up, compared to Rep. Mark Meadows, largely MIA on the homefront.

I still believe town hall meetings provide rare “face to face” encounters with one’s congressman; however wide that divide may be, you can personally express your views.

I go and speak at McHenry town hall meetings in outlier counties and cities — from Shelby to Hickory — to get a “feel” for the district and to express a progressive opinion, especially on Medicare for All (M4A) — a voice in the “wilderness”?

In Hickory, I reminded the audience (100-plus) that traditional Medicare, a beloved government program, was 54 years old on July 30, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. At that time, Medicare was deemed “socialism” by the AMA and the health care industry.

McHenry will never support M4A, but I’d like to believe a few in the audience were listening. The point is to share information wherever possible.

— Roger Turner
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

5 thoughts on “Letter: Sharing progressive views at town halls

  1. Lulz

    LOL but if you’re giving medical care out to illegals what’s going to happen to us? Oh let me guess, I’ll be put on a waiting list and die merely because I’m white. Anything you communists stand for simply means you pick who lives and who dies. And they’ll be chosen on the basis of political support. Ain’t it funny that no one is swimming back to Cuba for their health care?

    Communis are not a solution. Anything you propose will mean death to one group while propping up another. And in the end what’ll happen is the same as else where. You’ll support border walls then to keep people in. There’s a reason why the Berlin Wall was built and the Stasi was the best of the best. It wasn’t to keep people out.

    Let’s see Asheville claims to be.progressive. But in reality is controlled by cronies who live off of property taxes, allows corporations to dictate the rules, and hides the health risks of getting in the French Broad. And I guarantee you would take down any signs
    that displayedd ecoli levels and jail those that put them up. And yet you think they’ll give out quality health care?

    • luther blissett

      If you’re going to make stuff up, at least be creative: tell us that the socialists are planning to forcibly remove one of your kidneys for transplant JuSt bEcAusE yOu ArE white. And they’ll confiscate your lawn tractor. And make bacon illegal.

      Must be nice to have all that spare time to work yourself into a paranoid froth about things that aren’t going to happen instead of worrying about the things that are happening.

  2. North Asheville

    Thank you, Mr. Turner, for your inspiring letter about active citizenship and civility.

  3. luther blissett

    “I’m surprised Rep. Patrick McHenry still holds town hall meetings in Asheville”

    Technically, he doesn’t. He always holds them just outside the city limits, whether it’s Riceville VFD or Land of Sky Shrine Club or Artspace or somewhere else in the unincorporated county. But in fairness, he does show up.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.