Passion, but no confrontation at Sessions’ Town Hall

ANDALUSIA—The town hall meeting here between residents and Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions wasn’t peppered with the confrontational anger common in many other town hall meetings around the country.

However, more than 350 people did pour into the Kiwanis Community Center to let Sessions know how they felt about President Barack Obama, health care reform and a handful of other topics.

It took only a few questions and comments before it became evident most in the crowd were concerned over what they perceived as decreasing liberty, increasing taxes and an inflating deficit, all leading to deflating morale.

One lady held a handmade sign that said “Impeach Obama.“ Another sign on a truck outside the center said “Read the Bill, $15 trillion Over 10 Years.“

They spoke against what they said were too many federal mandates, not enough time to digest the issues and a shift too far to the left to sit well with Covington County and the surrounding area.

“The American people’s voices are being heard,“ said Sessions, whose opposition to the recent confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the auto industry bailout, the stimulus bill and health care reform all met with loud applause from the crowd.

“You are right to be concerned about some of the historic changes going on in our country,“ Sessions said.

Most of the conversation, however, dealt with health care reform. The decidedly conservative and elderly audience appeared strongly opposed to any of the current health care reform bills in the House and Senate.

“How can somebody pass something they haven’t even read?“ asked one man. “The President said he hasn’t even read the whole thing.“

Most of those selected at random to speak during the meeting acknowledged something needed to be done to contain spiraling health care costs, but practically all believed more government involvement would only add to the problem.

“There are many problems, but first and foremost is the cost,“ said Albert St. John, a retired physician from Andalusia. “Doctors do way too many tests. I have to. I’m one of them.“

St. John said doctors perform many unnecessary tests because of the fear of malpractice lawsuits, adding that tort reform should be a major part of any health care reform package.

From there, St. John said, the problems pile on one another. He said an underfunded Medicare program leads the doctors and specialists to pass the extra cost on to consumers who can afford to pay for their services.

St. John suggested putting together a non-partisan panel of experts to study the issue before any legislation is passed.

“We need to go back and start over from square one,“ Sessions said.

One resident said he believed the federal government did not have the power to pursue health care legislation and said he would like health care “left alone.“

“Health care is not a right guaranteed by the Constitution,“ Sessions said. “It’s just not.“

St. John said he believes Town Hall meetings such as the one Wednesday are beneficial.

“It’s democracy in action,“ St. John said. “It’s another way to make our elected officials know how we feel. But Senator Sessions is just one of 100 voices in the Senate.“