Working the Denair Denham meeting
As planned Los Pistoleros made the long drive into Denair for a Jeff Denham mobile meeting. While I do live in Denair, I'm in the country so it's like 2 miles! Of course, we were early again. Soon others started to arrive, looked like a small turnout. Went to wait by the door, there was this man who I finally recognized as Jeff Jardine from the Modesto Bee. Talked to him, he asked about our last meeting. I told him it was a bit heated. He warned to be careful, or that becomes the narrative.
The door finally opened, and we went in. The Denair Community quickly put up chairs and tables for us. Then Flat Denham made his appearance and took a seat. For those not familiar with the term, it's a Denham cardboard cutout. When the meeting finally started, we had 19 people from the public. It got started with concerns about water. Not for farm about clean drinking water and clean air. The man asking wanted to know if Denham would agree that “man is responsible for global climate change”. The rep from Denham Pete Butler, said he had no answer for that. I do hope our congressman isn't a climate denier. Pete did say that Denham is committed to clean and water. I guess that's a small plus.
Several members we appalled that Trump or anyone would want to eliminate the EPA. Many in room fearful Denham will side with Trump on issues that matter to his constituents. Everyone is appalled at the pick for EPA, Scott Pruitt. A man who as Oklahoma Attorney General made his career suing the EPA. No Trust that Denham will ever side against Trump.
We finally turned to the ACA. As usual I told Pete, who knows my position, that I felt that no repeal was needed. I advocate a fix. He also knows that I want a bipartisan effort to fix it. Take out the politics and assign an 8-man committee, 4 republicans and 4 Democrats. Working across the aisle was big part of passing law in the old days, way back in the 90’s. Another lady was totally against vouchers. With a voucher a person could be out of coverage in no time. Anyone familiar with diabetes knows too well. There were several that felt Denham didn't care about his democrat constituents. Some said the want Denham to have the same insurance as we do.
It was a more mixed bag of issues today. We had one man who was having a problem with his 15-year-old daughter. He was frustrated, the agencies for missing children had no answers for him. Even found a program that would help her, but the expense was beyond his means. If anyone has any suggestions that may help, please reach out.
Also, wandered into School nutrition. We had several teachers, some retired. Of course, we touched on immigration and the effects on families. The biggest fear had to do with our president. Entire room wants the Russian connection fully investigated, and not by AG Jeff Sessions. Also, tired of his false clams.
The big thing we all want is a town hall meeting with our congressman. He seems to be ducking his constituents. You'd think he would want to meet with us. If he doesn't show up, we will end up writing his narrative. Believe me Jeff you don't want that!
