The Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art, 1000-seat auditorium, which…read moreincludes a 50' x 40' stage (plus 25' wings on each side), full fly loft, a green room, dressing/makeup rooms, black box theatre, a costume shop, a scene shop, an orchestra pit, and a catering kitchen. It was planned and built in conjunction with Spirit Lake High School and serves both community and educational needs. It's a very impressive facility, especially for small town Iowa.
Gayle and I came here recently for a Town Hall Meeting that was hosted by Charles Grassley, the Republican US Senator from Iowa. Although the subject of Health Care is now prominent in the news, Senator Grassley has a long tradition of holding at least 1 constituent meeting every year in each of Iowa's 99 counties. At the same time, he has not missed a single Senate vote since the big Iowa floods of 1993 (when he was in State with then President Clinton). He also has a high approval rate in Iowa, even amongst Democrats. My parents aren't in that group and actually prefer the politics of the other Iowa Senator - Democrat Tom Harkin. However, during the August recess, Senator Harkin was pretty much MIA during this Town Hall season. And since Gayle and I were in town, why not come and hear what one of our representatives has to say (and even if we might disgree)?
There were about 800 people at this Town Hall Meeting and that included a good group of students in the balcony from Spirit Lake High School. The big turn out was probably a combination of the health care issue and the fact that the Sami Bedell Center is in a resort area. There was one guy in the Lobby sporting a "No Socialism" shirt and handing out leaflets. And other than very rare "hooting" during the meeting and some soft grumbling when Nancy Pelosi was mentioned, Gayle and I didn't have the impression that we were in the presence of a right wing audience that was egged on my the likes of Sean Hannity. In fact, the words "Barack Obama" were never spoken.
Both Gayle and I found Senator Grassley to be soft spoken, well versed, and respectful. And he took notes. And although a few members of the audience made statements instead of asking a question, all inquires were well considered, polite and heartfelt. We never got the impression that we were in the middle of a rally or that any of the questions were planted. In fact, at one point after an audience member asked for a show of hands on some health care related issue, Senator Grassley politely declined as he didn't want such a demonstration to intimidate anyone. He also patiently explained to a citizen on why (by law) she wasn't getting a cost of living increase on her Social Security this year. His best quote of the session was that "You'll never be able to raise taxes high enough to pay for all the money that Congress wants to spend."
Other questions besides heatlh care were asked during this 1 hour plus session. That included the deficit, illegal immigrants, cap and trade, college costs, and wind energy. I especially enjoyed the conversation about delivery of medical care into rural areas (and a key reason Senator Grassley is at the negotiating table) and the future supply of primary care physicians in those communities if the public option is implemented. According to Senator Grassley, Iowa is a high quality, but low reimbursement state.
But the most interesting conversation Gayle and I had after attending this very worthwhile Town Hall Meeting, was how selective even the local media is in broadcasting the resulting sound bites. During our attendance, there were 3 times that the audience reacted with applause (and some hooting). In order of loudest to less so, one citizen asked that health care legislation be pushed as a tribute to Ted Kennedy. Another gave a very heartfelt description of how her departed father thought he had the best insurance money could by and how she had trouble getting insurance based on her preexisting condition. Finally, a small business owner described his hard work in making a profit and providing his employees with health insurance. He then strongly asked that the government keep out his business and his life.
Guess which clip was broadcast by the local radio station? Listening to that made Gayle and I wonder what was really going on at some of the other Town Hall Meetings throughout our great Country.
