U.S. Congressman Burgess held a fiery Town Hall Meeting Saturday afternoon at the North Central Texas College (NCTC) campus in Gainesville starting at 2 p.m.

Constituents filled the Little Theater in the NCTC Administration Building and the large room outside of it. Burgess went between the two rooms for about two hours to hear and answer questions and concerns.

The hottest topic by far was health care and the health care reform bill.

Burgess said that as a medical doctor, he knows the problems and frustrations of people not receiving the health care they need. But, he said, we don’t need to turn the entire system on it’s head when it is working for a majority of the country.

Of the health care bill Burgess said, “Our constituents have said, ‘you better slow down and do this right’.”

Burgess continued, “If we go back in September and ram something through, it will not work.”

Other topics addressed by constituents and Burgess included government staying within their budget, erosion of citizen liberties, mandates, President Obama’s “Czars”, Cash for Clunkers, tort reform, green and alternative energy, illegal immigration, end of life legislation, support for Israel and stopping funding for Acorn.

About 20 people stood to ask questions and make statements before the meeting was called to a close.

Anise Smith stood and among other things asked Burgess to please address Barak Obama’s “Czars” and The White House “snitch website”.

Of the “snitch website”, Burgess said “that’s the craziest damn, I mean ... it just sounds goofy on it’s head.”

A few constituents addressed the issue that bills should not be voted on until they are thoroughly read.

Burgess responded that there is a pledge out there already to not sign until we have read it.

One constituent stood and read a long statement addressed to Burgess, Republicans and everyone else in the government. His statement read that the government should “not mess” with things including health care and the minimum wage. “

The constituent said, “Our government should live within their budget. We have to do so, you can also.” He also stressed the government should not be using the people’s money on things like abortions or to take over car companies or mortgage companies.

He said, “The government was not set up to lord over the people.”

He went on to say, “We are tired of being lied to by the people in Washington. Stop it.”

Carol Beck stood to speak her mind about how things are going in Washington and the country and said, “I was so frustrated until I went down to the TEA Party in May.”

Beck went on to say, “We have the passion and the enthusiasm, but what’s next? “What’s our next step to keep the pressure on? What should we do to keep the pressure up?”

Beck later raised her voice again and said, “Take this message to the fellow Republicans. We are watching you.”

Beck told Burgess to tell them if they don’t vote the way we want you to vote and if you don’t do what we say, “We are going to vote you out.”

Only Kenna Giffen came to the mic to bluntly tell Burgess that she does not agree with his take on health care and health care reform bill.

“We need this health care desperately,” said Giffen.

When the crowd booed her loudly Giffen yelled back at them, “I do,” and continued to speak her mind to Burgess about constituents who are struggling to receive medical care.

Following her comments, Burgess told the crowd that if people were having health care problems they could meet with him or his office after the meeting. Burgess said they have been able to help some people, at times, with medical situations.

Burgess stated his voting record and put it up on an overhead Powerpoint slide.

One slide read, “Representative Burgess has voted against $2,649,900,000,000 or over $2.6 trillion.”

Doing the math, Burgess has voted “No” on the following legislation which adds up to the over $2.6 trillion.

— No to Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008, H.R. 5140. at the cost of $145.9 billion.

— No to Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, H.R. 3221 at the cost of $1 trillion.

— No to Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, H.R. 1424 at the cost of $700 billion.

— No to Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act, H.R. 7321 at the cost of $17 billion.

— No to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. 1 at the cost of $787 billion.

Another slide read, “Only 17 out of 435 Members of Congress have voted “No” on all the bailouts.” Burgess is one of these 17 Members of Congress.

Burgess said that September is a pivotal block for health care. He said the Obama Administration is retooling the health care bill as he speaks.

Burgess said that this September, “we are going to put the brakes on this bill, come up with something acceptable, or shelve it.”

Burgess told the crowd, “I will take some of your passion back with me to Washington.”

Burgess said that in 2006, “we were not the party of the future.” He went on to say, “But, 2010 is coming up.”

Burgess thanked those attending and participating in the Town Hall Meeting and said that gatherings like this are changing the world.


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