Simultaneous healthcare rallies in Sylva didn’t add anything new to the dialogue. Followers of the president presented personal stories about how people are under-served and dying because of the current system; ergo, government needs to take over. Conservatives on the other side of the street argued more was needed in reform than undeliverable, half-baked, feel-good promises. Public optioneers tried to appeal to the mountain values of those across the street with claims that Jesus would have entrusted Caesar with healings.
One might think the conservatives won because a chorus of “America the Beautiful” broke out amongst the public optioneers. Had they sung about more than purple mountains and amber grain, they’d be recalling pilgrims enduring pain to be free, they’d be demanding confirmation of liberty by law, and they’d be loving the founding principles of this country more than life. Rather than shouting, “You lie!” the conservatives sang along.
Included in the coverage of the event in the Smoky Mountain News is an announcement of a forum: Is Access to Healthcare Guaranteed by the Ideals Set Forth by the Constitution? It will be hosted by Western Carolina University’s Public Policy Institute in Multipurpose Room B of the Hinds University Center, Thursday, September 17, at 4:30.
