Meeting the People Vol. 7

From Maryland:

On the lawn of Snow Hill Elementary on Tuesday, people greeted U.S. Rep. Frank Kratovil with homemade signs declaring their disgust for universal health care proposals.

One said: "You won an election, not the lottery. Stop spending my money." Another, held by an elderly woman, said: "Health care for seniors = Euthanasia."

The first-term congressman, stopping in Wicomico and Worcester counties on Tuesday for what he advertised as an agriculture roundtable, got an earful from constituents angry over health care reform bills proposed in Washington. Kratovil, a Democrat, represents Maryland's 1st District, a 12-county area encompassing the Eastern Shore.

"People are afraid of what's happening now," said Steve Lind of Ocean Pines. "They're afraid of big government; they're afraid of taxes. We're losing our freedoms. We're losing America."

The crowd of about 70 in the school cheered loudly following Lind's remarks. It was one of many times the crowd erupted into applause or gasped at with which statements they disagreed....

Later that afternoon in Wicomico County, Kratovil received a similar reception. After speaking briefly to farmers about environmental regulations opposed by poultry farmers, Kratovil was put in the hot seat by about 75 people crammed into the agricultural extension office.

"Your vote for cap and trade hurts American agriculture. Do you agree or disagree?" said Joe Collins of Mardela Springs, who identified himself as a part-time farmer.

Kratovil responded that a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report says the proposal -- which will limit industrial emissions -- will help farmers in the long run.

As many in the crowd murmured in disagreement to Kratovil's statement, Collins retorted: "Is it in Russian or South American agriculture?"

Most, however, wanted to talk about the pending health care bill.

Welcome back to real America, congressman. Life outside the D.C. bubble isn't much fun, is it?