KAAL-TV reports on the Healthcare Forum with Congressman Walz in Rochester. Seniors at the forum talked about how confusing Medicare Part D can be. Walz knew the difficulties firsthand:
Odegaard is just one of many asking questions and talking to congressman Tim Walz about why the status of healthcare needs to change.
But answers are hard to come by.
"That's coming from patients, physicians, everyone, and I don't think in Washington there's an understanding of how much people want to deal with this," says Walz. "I tried signing my mother up for Medicare part D and it was nearly impossible and I’m in congress making these laws," he adds.
Medicare part D was promoted and passed by a Republican Congress in 2003 with the support of President Bush.
Later in the day, Walz held office hours in Owatonna. The Owatonna People's Press' Jason Kroeker reports that Walz touches base with locals.
Dietition Louanne Kaupa came to speak her mind about the need for provisions in the Farm Bill that would enccourage farmers to go fruits and vegatables, not just commodity crops, so that America doesn't have to import produce to help consumers meet the suggested dietary goals outlined in the USDA's official "food pyramid." Some talked about health care, while most wanted to talk about the Iraq War.
When was the last time Dick Day held a meeting open to the public in his own district? And what's up with the Senate Minority Caucus's web pages at the Senate's web site? We were astonished to find this welcome page, this press release page, and this list of townhall meetings. Dated, but better than this.
At least the contact page has been updated.
Those pesky college students at IDHA weigh in on the unbearable lightness of being Randy Demmer (R-Backbench). Now, BSP hasn't said that we know for certain that Randy Demmer was in DC last week instead of serving his constituents in St. Paul, but the circumstantial evidence is compelling. Perhaps DNA testing would settle the issue and make it safe for Twin Cities media to cover the topic.
UPDATE: Rochester Post Bulletin: Walz a "stalwart listener"
The Rochester Post Bulletin traveled to Austin to observe Representative Walz at the Hyvee in his Saturday morning store stop and reports back in Shoppers offer Walz food for thought. A sample from the article:
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz visited Hy-Vee Foods on Saturday to find out what's on the minds of his Austin constituents. He got an earful.
It was a busy two hours for the former Army National Guard command sergeant major and Mankato teacher, who proved himself a stalwart listener. . . .
. . .As of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Walz was down on one knee at a table of four listening to their concerns. . . .
. . . A big advantage of meeting people this way is that the group is bound to include supporters of the other party, he noted. "They ask hard questions, and that's good."
Over at Firedoglake, Phoenix Woman points out that Randy Demmer had the DC press corps on their knees. We think most Southern Minnesotans will prefer a congressman who listens to his constituents instead.
Ollie, thanks for stepping up to the plate on Randy Demmer. Do you remember when the P-B's G.Sellnow ran the piece on how early the election season starts? And how the Republicans thought he was complaing about them and took it as an example of media bias? I think it was just the P-B complaining about having to take more and more resources to cover Walz because he was so busy. The newspapers had it easy with Gutknecht, R-Backbencher. Not only was there nothing to cover on him, it allowed them not to cover his challengers. Now not only will newspapers have to cover Walz, they'll have his challengers' supporters demanding equal coverage. Also on Demmer's hair, I agree with Phoenix Woman, there is something amiss, especially in the small head shot for the media. Like maybe he's "lost in the eighties". I can't believe it won't be replaced soon.
Posted by: KJohnson | May 15, 2007 at 08:00 AM