Thursday 6:30 pm, April 20, 2017
There was a packed house at the United Food Workers Hall for a Town Hall Meeting with Congresswoman Ann Wagner. She had been invited with ample notice. In attendance were many who wished to convey their story regarding the importance of both the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood in the lives of themselves and/or loved ones. One young ‘teen’ female was absolutely spell-binding in her remarks regarding the fact that Planned Parenthood was her only source for healthcare and the importance of all of us fighting for healthcare for all. So where was the Congresswoman?
Friday 9:00 am, April 21, 2017
Since Congresswoman Wagner did not wish to hear from her constituents, the stories from the previous evening were conveyed to her at her St.Louis District Office the following morning. There was also a request to set up a time to meet with the Congresswoman. The constituents who had made this request then sat and waited in the atrium lobby of the building hoping to get a response. What they received was an escort out of the building by the facility management which is privately owned. (But yes, tax dollars are paying for her suite.)
Friday 5:00 pm, April 21, 2017
A smallish group of about 30 gathered in the parking lot of Congresswoman Wagner’s office to once again raise the voices of the importance of caring for all and that all deserved healthcare. There is a strong commitment on the part of those who attended to assure that our voices, our hearts, and our commitment will not stray. And yes, it appeared that management was keeping an eye on us.
Just some personal observations of the these events: At the crowd on Thursday evening, there were mostly ‘new’ faces to me as had also occurred at the health care event at the UCFW Hall earlier this month. The number of young adults, high school and older, in attendance is of great comfort (at least to me). The crowd standing in the rain on Friday evening had new faces, but also those folks who are always there at crunch time including another West County Democrat, Marty Walsh and a new member, Vernon Kays. The more we gather and the larger number of folks we get, then the better our voices will be heard even by the Congresswoman of the 2nd Congressional District. Of all of the amoral issues that we are fighting against right now, healthcare is one that will have the most dramatic and immediate effect. We will not be able to reverse the impact of the pervasive lack of preventative care, the lack of appropriate care, and the total lack of health care for others. Children who are chronically sick cannot learn and/or grow into the responsible adults they wish to be.
So MARK your calendars: Upcoming Town Hall Meeting with Congresswoman Ann Wagner (yes, she has been invited):
May 7, 2017
Des Peres Community Center
(More details to come soon from Missouri 2nd District for Change)
Submitted by Judith Parker, WCD Member
I hope Democrats can field a good candidate so that we can send Ann Wagner off to Lobbyist Land where she belongs.