Health care overhaul’s opponents rally in D.C.
WASHINGTON - Chanting “Kill the bill,’’ thousands of conservatives incensed over the Democrats’ health care overhaul protested at the Capitol yesterday, arguing that the legislation amounts to a government takeover of the nation’s medical system.
The crowd, invited on national television by Representative Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican who is a hero to conservative and villain to liberals, was staunchly antigovernment - “Politicians lie, people die,’’ read one sign - but loudly cheered the House Republicans who hosted the event. The protest attracted many of the so-called Tea Party demonstrators angry with increased spending and an expanded government role under the Obama administration.
“This bill is the greatest threat to freedom that I have seen,’’ House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio told the crowd gathered on the lawn near the West Front of the Capitol.
“We’re not going to leave this Hill until we kill this bill,’’ declared GOP Representative Steve King of Iowa.
Republican leaders focused on what they said were the flaws in the Democratic bill, as they distanced themselves from Bachmann’s invitation to Fox News viewers to confront lawmakers: “Find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, ‘Don’t take away my health care.’ ’’
The crowd, including many older Americans, carried placards that ranged from pithy - “Free health care isn’t free’’ - to harsh. “Ken-ya Trust Obama?’’ said one, referencing the president’s African roots and claims by some that he was not born in the United States.
One protester carried a placard reading, “Bury Obamacare with Kennedy,’’ a reference to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who died of brain cancer in August and who called universal health care the cause of his life.
The demonstrators came to Washington to send a message to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid as they press ahead with health care legislation. Democrats hope to pass the far-reaching legislation in the House tomorrow.
“It’s upsetting because of where we’ve come from to where we are today, to see our freedom eroding,’’ said Ben Fourman, 72, of Farmingdale, N.J.
After the rally, Capitol Police arrested a dozen antiabortion activists angry about the bill outside one Pelosi’s offices on charges that included disorderly conduct and unlawful entry.
