Bush's One-Sided Conversation on Social Security
From ADA Intern Kate Mewhiney
President Bush claims the public supports his plans for Social Security reform. Citing a part of a survey-ignoring results showing dropping support-the president referred to results that show the public believes there is a problem with the current system. Despite the fact that even members of his own party aren't backing him, Bush insists he has the American people behind him. And looking at the audiences at his Town Hall meetings on Social Security, it's easy to see why he thinks this.
Attendees at these events are carefully screened, and dissenters are turned away. Last week, at an event in Denver, three people were forcibly removed from the event because of a "No More Blood for Oil" bumper sticker on their car. Alex Young, Karen Bauer, and Leslie Weisse were told to leave. The administration says the man who removed them was a Republican staffer at the event.
This isn't the first time the administration has blamed their screening process on event volunteers. Last month in North Dakota, a list that banned 42 people from getting tickets to an event was blamed on an "overzealous volunteer." However, as the screening process becomes a pattern, it is impossible to blame local volunteers in every city. The Bush administration controls access to these events, and they see to it that only the people they want are filling the seats when the president takes the stage.
In a briefing, when asked about the incident, McClellan said "We welcome a diversity of views at the events." This statement has no factual support. The audiences at these events are handpicked by the Republican Party, and the questions are rehearsed in advance, so the president never faces any surprises-or criticism, during the events. There is no diversity and no difference of opinion, because the administration won't allow it.
The president drew criticism for the same screening practice during the campaign, when the events were privately funded. Now that Bush's events are paid for by taxpayer money, refusing admission to people who pose no threat and create no disturbance becomes a much more serious issue.
The administration is referring to these events as "conversations." Conversations usually have more than one side. But in this case, the other side is being barred from speaking up.
President Bush claims the public supports his plans for Social Security reform. Citing a part of a survey-ignoring results showing dropping support-the president referred to results that show the public believes there is a problem with the current system. Despite the fact that even members of his own party aren't backing him, Bush insists he has the American people behind him. And looking at the audiences at his Town Hall meetings on Social Security, it's easy to see why he thinks this.
Attendees at these events are carefully screened, and dissenters are turned away. Last week, at an event in Denver, three people were forcibly removed from the event because of a "No More Blood for Oil" bumper sticker on their car. Alex Young, Karen Bauer, and Leslie Weisse were told to leave. The administration says the man who removed them was a Republican staffer at the event.
This isn't the first time the administration has blamed their screening process on event volunteers. Last month in North Dakota, a list that banned 42 people from getting tickets to an event was blamed on an "overzealous volunteer." However, as the screening process becomes a pattern, it is impossible to blame local volunteers in every city. The Bush administration controls access to these events, and they see to it that only the people they want are filling the seats when the president takes the stage.
In a briefing, when asked about the incident, McClellan said "We welcome a diversity of views at the events." This statement has no factual support. The audiences at these events are handpicked by the Republican Party, and the questions are rehearsed in advance, so the president never faces any surprises-or criticism, during the events. There is no diversity and no difference of opinion, because the administration won't allow it.
The president drew criticism for the same screening practice during the campaign, when the events were privately funded. Now that Bush's events are paid for by taxpayer money, refusing admission to people who pose no threat and create no disturbance becomes a much more serious issue.
The administration is referring to these events as "conversations." Conversations usually have more than one side. But in this case, the other side is being barred from speaking up.
1 Comments:
New and improved!
Republicans offer "Free speech!"
Disclaimer: Liberals, Democrats, truth tellers, and non-Fox News media excluded.
Side effects for these groups may include: screened questions, screened entry to events, forcible restraint. Please consult the Republican National Committee, the Christian Coalition, or Karl Rove before attempting to use "free speech"
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