By GottaLaff
Via an e-mail (bolding is mine):
Press ReleaseIsn't it fun (and annoying) to find all the lies, efforts, and silliness in Tea Tantrum e-mails? And yes, the Tenthers and Tea Tantrumers seem to have morphed into one big ol' rancid cup of crazy.
Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement
March 11, 2010
Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement Meets with Representative Jason Altmire in Washington, D.C.
Yesterday, a group of forty members of the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement journeyed to Washington, D.C. by bus to attend a meeting with U.S. Representative Jason Altmire (D) to discuss concerns about his position on the Senate health care bill. The group, comprised mostly of small business owners, passionately expressed their concerns about the Senate bill and repeatedly asked Rep. Altmire to vote no and kill the bill.
The tea party members have been closely following the legislation, reading the bills, researching Rep. Altmire's past statements on health care, and discussing the legislation with Senators Specter's and Casey's offices. In November, the group visited Rep. Altmire in Washington to ask him to vote no on the House bill. The impression then was that Rep. Altmire was listening; and while he would not commit as to how he would vote, it appeared that he heard what was said and was considering voting favorably. Ultimately, Rep. Altmire voted no on the House healthcare bill.
This visit was different and the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement’s members walked away with the distinct impression Rep. Altmire would vote yes on the Senate bill. Rep. Altmire spent considerable time defending the bill, which is not expected behavior from someone who is pondering voting no in opposition to a bill. While Rep. Altmire invited comments and questions, unlike the prior visit, he did not engage in meaningful dialogue. He spoke primarily of his positions in support of the bill.
Rep. Altmire failed to address questions about why the federal government did not resolve significant problems within the healthcare industry that drive prices higher before putting into place legislation which will ultimately result in socialized medicine. Issues that remained unaddressed were why the government did not first institute tort reform and facilitate increased healthcare competition.
Rep. Altmire stated that he liked the Senate bill better than the House bill he voted against, but was not sure he would vote for it. Rep. Altmire indicated that he hoped portions of the bill that he did not like would be modified in Reconciliation. He also stated that he would not vote for a bill that added one penny to the deficit.
One Pittsburgh Tea Party Member raised the issue of constitutionality of the healthcare bill: namely, mandating individuals purchase insurance coverage, fining individuals who refuse to purchase insurance, and possible taxation prior to the receipt of benefits. Rep. Altmire explained that constitutionality was not a concern as the bill would be incorporated into the tax code.
Rep. Altmire stated that he would not factor into his vote studies showing 70% of U.S. citizens are against the Senate healthcare bill because that data was not specific to his district. He also mentioned when questioned that he had not done any internal polling since running his campaign for office. However, one tea party member who was unable to make the trip to Washington, D.C., received a market research call last night, that appeared to be on behalf of Rep. Altmire, asking whether she would vote for him if he supported the Senate healthcare bill. This appears to be a direct contradiction of his statement made at the meeting.
Patti Weaver, organizer for the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement, stated, “We firmly believe the people of the fourth district are against Obamacare and this Senate bill. If Mr. Altmire wants to vote for something that our citizens don't support, which it appears he does, we will see to it that he is not reelected.”
Rep. Altmire, who previously worked for UPMC as their lead lobbyist, was asked if he would return to UPMC if he does not get reelected. He responded no.
Members of the group expressed concerns about language in the Senate bill indicating taxpayers would foot the bill for abortions. Rep. Altmire, who claims to be prolife and who voted for the Stupak Amendment, stated taxpayers would not be paying for abortion under the Senate bill.
Members of the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement who were unable to travel to Washington protested at the local offices of Rep. Altmire yesterday. Fifty attended a protest at Rep. Altmire’s Natrona Heights office, and 40 attended a protest in his Aliquippa office. Protests will be held again today at the same offices.
Rep. Michele Bachmann and Mrs. Weaver participated in introducing the program Take The Town Halls to Washington (takethetownhallstowashington.com) on Tuesday night. Michele Bachmann and Mrs. Weaver encourage those opposed to the Senate bill to call, fax, email, write or visit representatives who support the Senate bill. Some of the grassroots’ footage of the group’s meeting with Rep. Altmire and footage of Rep. Bachmann’s comments at the press conference can be found at takethetownhallstowashington.com.
The Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement will pursue a Health Care Protection Act for Pennsylvania similar to that passed in seven states, Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming, and being drafted in approximately 38 other states. Health Care Protection Acts assert 10th Amendment rights to protect against a federally imposed individual mandate.
Media Contact: Patti Weaver 412-779-0854
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