The rally was billed by organizers as Stop Obama Care. But as far as many in the crowd Thursday were concerned, they could drop the "Care" part.
Three Georgia Republican congressmen headlined the rally against health care reform that attracted about 500 people to Jessye Norman Amphitheater, where many pointed to other policies of President Obama's that they didn't like, some currently proposed or others just feared as the beginning of something worse.
"Are any of you angry?" U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal asked, and the crowd roared back. Noting that many are probably also afraid of the reforms as well, Mr. Deal said those two emotions are what sparked the American Revolution.
"There is a new birth of freedom that is sweeping across our land, and you are a part of it by being here tonight," he said, to loud applause.
Many of the speakers -- which included local physicians -- played to a patriotic theme as a reason to oppose what is being debated in Washington.
"I think it's about liberty," surgeon Randy Cooper said. "It's you having the right to choose who you go to, what hospital you want to go to, and the right of your doctor to choose what kind of care that you're going to get based on evidence-based medicine."
And for many, it goes beyond health care. Holding a sign that read "Obamacare Forceing (sic) Americans into submission, Wake up people," Anthony Olick, 55, said he fears the Obama administration might even take advantage of the looming novel influenza A H1N1 pandemic to intrude further on rights and possibly enter people's homes.
"Probably go in there and disarm people, you know it," he said.
With a solid majority in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, however, Democrats are in a position to pass whatever they like, which is why U.S. Rep. Paul Broun urged the crowd to put pressure on conservative Democrats to oppose the current reforms.
"That's what will kill Obamacare," he said. "Republicans can't do it."
Ian Dalbert, 44, of Augusta, was one of the few visible supporters of the reform effort. He noted that the bills haven't even come up for a vote before the full House or Senate or in some cases are still being finished.
"We believe the health care bill first of all deserves a chance" to go through the process, he said. Many in the crowd, Mr. Dalbert said, are opposed "to any platform Obama stands on."
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Did ya get to see channel 12's news bimbette announcing "Thousands" attending this function? More of that "Liberul" media at work. And as for the Comical, after all the free publicity all your crowd could come up with is "about" 500 if that on a glorius fall evening? I know, because my friends and I enjoyed a terrific dinner on the sidewalk at the Blue Sky kitchen just blocks away from the circus.
Retired army must have never learned to count and was not in the recon business in the army apparently. There was a huge crowd of several thousand with about 10 frustrated protestors who even had small children carrying signs. They finally left and went to the little hot dog stand down the street and sat dejectedly stroking each others deflated egos. The ampitheater was covered from top to bottom with people against the govt take over of our country...
two very interesting web sites to check out .
www.youcanstopobama.com
www.georgiahealthcarefreedomact.com
LOL....@retired
several thousands where last night LOL, I don't think so, maybe they should have had everyone sign in that way we would have a definitive count after the *YAWNS* rally.
Jacks still in denial....the public school system should really place more emphasis on math. Liberals seem to exaggerate their crowds while downplaying opposing views...yawn now jack the awakening you're witnessing is just getting started......
To oppose health care is one thing, but what is up with the guy and the racist tee shirt. I did know it was a racist rally.
baaa....baaa...baaa....
marien are you talking about the obese guy in the obama shirt.
Irish you know very well who it was, don't get snippy wiith me watch the video.
using your accounting system it was a million man march....ha ha ......didn't see any tee shirts except the fat guy in the O shirt. The one you refer to shows a picture of O and ask the question is he a racist...
Goodbye, Irish have a nice day.
Headed back to the hot dog stand Marien ?
Retartded Army, It's still summer, Fall starts on the 22nd of this month. ha ha!
That right congressman 500 people show up in an area with over 200,000 and you guys are ready to take over the country. Wow the far right has lost it.
Those 500 and many like them have manged to totally reshape the Heathcare debate and totally overhaul the proposed legislation. Not too bad.
The left still projects frustration and unhappiness. You have total control of all three branches of govt. Go ahead just ram it through...you won...get over it...be happy ....
nine point seven per cent unemployment and that is not even counting the ones who no longer qualify for benefits. It's okay though cause Joe Biden says they have saved 750 K jobs. I know I feel better....come on get happy.....
Never been to a klan's meeting. Was going to come but didn't want to get LYNCHED!!! Guess the klan isn't afraid to show their ugly faces nowadays. GO OBAMA!!!!!!
How heartwarming to know that so many freedom-loving citizens would stand up to demand their sacred right to be poor and sick. Only in America.
After being hyped by the chronicle and local right wing radio for weeks and on a glorious Fall evening, only 500 angry old white people showed up to scream about what they already have and what they don't want anyone else to have, government administered health insurance.
With all the free advertisement you would have thought they would have at least had more people show up out of curiousity. If I were the reps there I would be very nervous about reelection that is a pretty small crowd to draw for that many elected officials speaking.
The wars over bush & cheney dropped the big one on 911.
Stop fighting your leaders OBEY.
That's their plan for you.
Who cares how many people were there. Watch Fox News or MSNBC News as both will show that over 70% of registered voters polled do not want health care reform to pass as it is. Thank God the majority still has common sence. It is just sad that 30% actually belivve the government would do a good job managing this program when almost all other social programs are either bankrupt, full of fraud or both. If this did pass, the money MUST come from somewhere and that means higher taxes to provide for another socail program which is as it should be unacceptable. And, without any new Doctors, will someone please explain just how care wont be rationalized with a supposed 40 million new people able to visit Doctors offices, etc. - We need to start with fixing some of the other broken government programs along with major tort reform which should reduce health care expenses between 20-25% and stop unnecessary medical tests that are given due to doctors who feel the need to test for everything under the sun out of fear from being sued. Whe doesn't the Obama administration, Pelosi, Reid or Frank even so much as consider tort reform? Oh yeah, they are lawyers and get lots of $$ from them.