Congressman Gets A Message Of Frustration

By Kendra Bobowick

Margee Minier smoothed her summer dress with her hands and spoke quickly, but softly.

“Part of every single penny I earned went to my son’s college,” she said. A full-time preschool teacher and single mother, Ms Minier sat up straight as she explained her circumstances. “I have no child support, no medical insurance, if anything happens I would lose my home.”

Filling the rows of chairs in the Alexandria Room at the Edmond Town Hall Thursday, August 9, more than 50 residents looked toward their host, Fifth District Congressman Chris Murphy, who had invited residents to share their thoughts with him. As his contact information sheet declared, “I can’t do my job without listening to you.” And he indicated that he would be listening more than speaking that evening.

After waiting until Mr Murphy pointed toward her raised hand, Ms Minier said, “I just wanted to tell you my story.” Her words drew murmurs of understanding from those around her and a few heads turned toward her voice. “I can’t afford it and at the end of the month there’s not enough money,” she told Mr Murphy.

Unfortunately Ms Minier’s struggle to at times choose between a routine doctor’s visit and groceries is familiar to Mr Murphy, who is pushing for health care reform. While introducing himself to residents earlier that evening, Mr Murphy had said, “I fundamentally believe we live in a system that is hemorrhaging. The system leaves millions uninsured.”

 During his 2006 campaign for Congress, he had said, “In Congress, I’ll stand up to the health care industry and pass legislation that empowers patients and consumers.” More information about his views is available at murphyforcongress.org.

Criticizing one judgment made against people in Ms Minier’s position, he said, “The idea is they should get up and get insurance, but what if something happens? The question is even greater.” The burden of one uninsured person’s visit to an emergency room falls to everyone, he said. “We should have health care that is more efficient,” he added. “The genius of health care reform is you can get more from the system.”

Karen C. Pierce also spoke against current health care systems. “Please take to Congress some truly needed proposals — HMOs are catastrophic, long illnesses are dropped from plans to the ruin of a family.”

Health care debt leads to bankruptcy, Mr Murphy agreed. “Illness could ruin [the family] for the rest of their lives…I think health care is a right.” He also noted, however, that the country has “a long way to go and how to get there is tough.”

Newtown’s Lyme Disease Task Force Chairman Maggie Shaw raised the point that her task force is battling one potentially debilitating illness. “You talk about disease and destruction, that’s one disease that will do it to you,” Ms Shaw said. Her main concern? “Where is the money for Lyme? Do you have Lyme or know someone with Lyme? It’s a major public health problem.” The Newtown Lyme Disease Network is a nonprofit volunteer group providing education and information for the prevention and understanding of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Call the Newtown Lyme Disease Network line at 270-3301.

A teacher in town, Katherine Doerr also stood and offered her stark comments. “There are a couple of issues I am concerned about — the student loan debacle makes me sick,” she said. Both the loans and their interest rates are steep, Mr Murphy had said earlier. Ms Doerr criticized the rising costs of college. Congress is working to lighten the financial load school places on students and families.

Mr Murphy said current legislation is aimed at cutting student loan interest rates, and he elaborates, again on his website, “This financial burden is making it more and more difficult for students to attain a degree.”

Campaign finance reform also brought out the frustrations of the crowd. Mr Murphy listened to the implications that campaign contributors were getting more from the government for their money.

Resident Ray Ruzek quipped, “We have a big problem with campaign finance — we have the best government money can buy.” In business terms he raised the idea of “reengineering.” He said, “You tear it apart and start over.” He doubts Congress can do it, he said. Mr Ruzek insisted, “Represent us as people rather than those who feed the campaigns.”

Mr Murphy responded, “I agree.”

Retirement, financial stability, and health care are also shaky ground to Mr Ruzek. “Congress made rules and the changes…how do we plan?” He asked what Congress is doing for people?

Sharon Wirt said she is upset with the war in Iraq. John Heigel wanted to know what this country is going to do about the recalled items manufactured in China such as pet foods and toys. Bob McDarren wanted to strike back at criminals who threaten home safety.

Mr Murphy said he wants to reestablish residents’ trust in the government, and has put himself in a place to provide answers and strive for changes to these and other concerns.

“My generation and others are on the precipice of losing faith in the government as if it’s a separate entity,” he said.

“I ran [for Congress] because of the general sense of a lost control of government,” he told the initial handful of residents that accompanied him into the Alexandria Room. Eventually the handful of listeners grew into a crowd filling the banquet hall as others trickled in after 6:30 pm.

Mr Murphy hinted at the ambitions that propelled him into political office. Speaking of his hometown of Cheshire, he said, “Talking to neighbors about health care, Iraq and watched leaders in Washington [it] seemed they were really not hearing us back home.”

He continued, “There is a wall between the legislative body and the outside.”

Despite the lapse in faith and day-to-day struggles facing Americans, Mr Murphy’s optimism gives him an advantage in Washington.

“If I am anything, I am unconditionally idealistic about what the government can do. We can build services and programs to help people,” he said. Recalling an anecdote revealing his anticipation to get to work in the capital, Mr Murphy said, “Every morning I get the tingle in my spine.” His ambitions are high. “I get the opportunity to pick up a newspaper and read about what’s wrong with the world and then go to work and try to fix it.” As his friend had advised, “The day you don’t get the tingle, sign your resignation letter.”

He is determined to make improvements. “A lot of days it’s a stubborn place to change, but you have to have faith that if you run your head into wall, the wall will eventually crack and there is something on the other side.”

The website, www.murphyforcongress.org contains information on the congressman’s position on topics such as health care, college costs, war, and other policies. Contact the congressman at his district office at 860-223-8412. The website, chrismurphy.house.gov also provides information. Send him an e-mail or register to receive his newsletter through this website.