It is apparent to me, that you are not listening to the grass roots roar that is resounding from coast to coast and border to border. And don't dismiss me by calling me a country bumpkin! I lived and worked in Los Angeles for many years. Your USA Today Op-Ed is arrogant and a lame attempt to convince Americans that we believe the opposite of what we are saying. How you can put down or ignore the masses of us "plain folk" is beyond me. You obviously have yet to realize that we are smarter than you think!

Why do I say you and Congressman Hoyer are not listening?

You stated, "Already, three house committees have passed this critical legislation and over August, the two of us will work closely with those three committees to produce one strong piece of legislation that the House will approve in September."

Annie asks, "Does that mean you are not going to wait until all the August and September Town Hall Meetings have taken place and consider the feedback of our duly elected Representatives, at least the ones who are listening? Are you going to huddle with a few committee members and "plow" ahead to craft legislation that will affect millions without attempting to consider and deliberate our requests?"

Annie gasps, "How can you call concerned Americans who disagree with this plan and want to make sure their voices are heard, 'unAmerican'? Betcha this name calling is gonna backfire! We are not afraid of the facts. Many of us have read the House bill, HR 3200, and the Senate bill. Have you?

Then you wrote, "For seniors, the plan closes the notorious Medicare Part D 'dough nut hole' that denies drug coverage to those with between $2700 and $6100 per year in prescriptions."

Annie says, "We know the administration has been lobbying AARP and the organization's board has climbed in bed with the plan. whether they admit it or not. But don't think that America's older and more mature citizens are being convinced by this. You can't give them more drug benefits, even through a deal with drug companies, in exchange for all that end-of-life nonsense. Any advocate of common sense knows this plan will result in rationing, especially for disabled and seniors."

And you continue to insult our intelligence with, "This month, despite the disruptions, members of Congress will listen to their constituents back home and explain reform legislation. We are confident that our principles of affordable, quality health care will stand up to any and all critics."

Annie wants to know, "What do you mean by 'your principles?' What ever happened to the desires, preferences and requests of the American people?"

I can't believe you wrote this one, "Now —- with Americans strongly supporting health insurance reform, with Congress reaching consensus on a plan, and with a president who ran and won on this specific promise of change —- America is closer than ever to this century-deferred goal." 

Annie responds with, "You aren't listening! Americans are NOT strongly supporting this plan. And there is more proof that Congress has already decided what you are going to do without considering our input. The President, by the way, did not win on 'this specific promise of change.' He promised 'change we can believe in' and we don't believe in this!

"We want you to slow down and listen. Then start over and draft some legislation that relies on common sense based on 'We The People.' We want reform that fixes what's not working instead of reform that dumps our entire health care system. Then, we want you to post the proposed legislation on the Internet. Get it out to all Congressional local offices throughout the country and give us a chance to read it, consider it and provide feedback.

"We are not going to get lost or quit going to town hall meetings just because of intimidation by you, members of Congress, the administration and any scare tactics by any union henchmen."

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