Dec

Omaha holds Emergency Healthcare Rally with Large Turnout

Patriots from all around converged on Omaha, Nebraska Sunday afternoon after they received notice of an Emergency Healthcare Rally that was to take place at the Omaha Music Hall to let Senator Ben Nelson know their anger over his decision to support Harry Reid’s Amendment for the healthcare reform bill. The event was a great success with a huge crowd in attendance for the rally. I couldn’t see just how many were in the top balcony to know whether it was filled. I can say that the main floor and first balcony, of the Omaha Music Hall, were completely filled with a number of people standing on stage as well.

Throughout the event, it was made quite apparent Senator Ben Nelson had made a great many promises to vote against the proposed healthcare reform bill. As one speaker discussed Nelson’s promises, a person from the crowd shouted, “He’s a liar” with several others then joining in with calling him a liar. To that I say, if the shoe fits, you might as well wear it. I know I was brought up, as I’m sure Senator Ben Nelson was, with the understanding that if I make a promise I am to go to great lengths to do what I can to keep that promise.

The emails about the event started pouring in late Saturday night asking me to help get the word out and asking if I would be making the trip to the event. What good is all my opposition to this whole mess if I didn’t take the time to make the trip to attend such an important event? So, my son and I ventured out at about braved snow slickened blacktops and highways while traveling two and a half hours to Omaha to attend this rally where Governor Mike Huckabee, and others, were scheduled to speak.

We arrived at the event shortly after 1 pm and as we were pulling up, my son asked me when I received notice of this event? I told him that it was put together at the last minute and I received first notice late last (Saturday) night. After he received my answer, he was amazed at how many people were outside while waiting in line to get into the Emergency Healthcare Rally.

While waiting in line, ourselves, we couldn’t help but to notice the approximately 20 counter-protesters who showed up for the event. I looked hard for the SEIU jackets, shirts, or even hats so I might be able to grab a picture and I was floored to see none of them wearing any. My son was embarrassed when I approached the counter-protesters right after there was a passionate back and forth yelling between them and a very upset attendee of the rally. I had a discussion with them on just how passionate an issue this is for those on both sides of the fence and discussed some of the different things included in the proposed bill. I even went so far as to explain to them that I would be standing right there with them if this bill was really about resolving healthcare issues. I think I shocked them as proceeded to casually discuss some other issues within this legislation and then I parted with politely asking them to please read the bill and wished them a Merry Christmas.

Counter-protesters at Emergency Healthcare Rally

So, why did I take time to have this conversation with these people who came to counter-protest our Emergency Healthcare Rally? I don’t believe that screaming and yelling will close the gap and educate the people who are lost in their opposition to our efforts. It is my believe that we can have open and honest debate, when permitted, with those on the other side of the fence. When doing so, we might just get one more person to take an honest look at things and understand that we are opposing the content of legislation that will cause far more problems than it will ever fix.

While waiting in line, I recall one interesting conversation with a couple who had just moved to Omaha, Nebraska from California. They were talking about how so many people they talked with, in Omaha, had beliefs that were entirely conservative in nature, and yet these same people were devoted Democrats. They just couldn’t understand that. As we laughed about it I explained to them that we had the very same issue in Iowa. I can’t count the number of times I’ve sat down with someone as we discussed and agreed on so many conservative value related issues and then I find out they are Democrats.

Please scroll through the images from the event and watch Mike Huckabee’s speech at the event.