11 months ago
People in Dublin filled up an auditorium at Heart of Georgia Technical College to share their thoughts on health care, immigration and other topics with Democrat US Representative Jim Marshall.
"I'm concerned with the direction our country is heading and I want it to turn around," said David Scott Bass of Dublin. He says he came out because he wanted to make sure Marshall heard his opinions and says he wants to see him act on the will of his voters.
"Reforms do need to come, but we don't need to address the whole system for 15 percent of the population," said Bass.
Many voiced concerns both for and against changes in health care. Marshall says he doesn't think the current proposal will work. He told the audience he believes the plan will lead America into bankruptcy in the coming decades.
"I'm very concerned that the proposals that are on the table right now simply add to an already unsustainable problem that we've got," said Marshall. He says he doesn't plan to vote on the health care bill as it stands right now.
People applauded when others asked why not hold off on a health care plan, but for some like Denise Thomas that's not an option.
"Cause there are some many people that's underrepresented like me. When people say wait, we can't wait," said Thomas. She says she suffers from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic bronchitis. She says for some putting off change could mean they never see one.
"Because if we don't have access to health care we won't live for old age, or too much longer than now," said Thomas, and while she and bass may disagree on the best course of action, they both say getting involved in the process can make a difference.
"With people talking and listening to each other I was happy," said Thomas.
"They've got to come and be apart of our government system," said Bass.
Marshall had to cut the meeting short by about half and hour in order to attend funeral services for Staff Sergeant Alex French in Milledgeville. French, a member of the 48th brigade, died in the line of duty last Wednesday in Afghanistan.
