Being engaged in the political process can be more than frustrating
Attending Congressman Stewart’s Feb. 21 town hall was a very odd and frustrating experience. I was fairly sure what the experience would be, but the reality was even stranger.
As an Independent, I was glad there were people in attendance who were even more progressive than I am so that I felt more in the middle of what was admittedly an ultra-conservative crowd. The adoration in the audience for both Stewart and President Trump was strong and palpable. When liberals spoke about anything that even hinted at socialism, Venezuela was always the poster child used by Stewart as to why we would not want to go there with never any reference, of course, to other countries that have successfully adopted socialist programs. He is so worried about his children — under the guise of caring about our country — that he’s unable to see any positives in what other countries have experienced. But hey, why anger your enthralled base, right?
Even with that strategy in mind, there were times when he wasn’t far right enough for those in the audience, such as the woman who criticized him for not supporting the emergency order for a wall. Congressman Stewart has spoken against the president taking this approach to securing his beloved wall, but when asked if he would vote against a planned resolution by the Democrats to try to stop Trump, Stewart said he would have to read the resolution first. That comment made me wonder if he had actually read the entire 2017 tax bill, which he supported — an act that was forced down the throats of Americans at the end of 2017 just as tax season was approaching, leaving millions of taxpayers in limbo as to how to deal with the act’s specifics, which even tax experts were struggling to understand. This year, according to a report from the Internal Revenue Service, average tax refunds are $1,949 compared to $2,135 in 2018, for the 2017 year. So much for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act helping average Americans!
In fact, no questions were asked at the event specifically about the tax overhaul and its effects on the Americans that Trump and Stewart state so vigorously they want to help. In their efforts to “Make America Great Again” and preserve Americans from the socialist bogeyman who would take their hard-earned dollars, they themselves seem to be doing the damage they assert liberals and socialists would do. Although Stewart argued that he would “fight to the death” to protect his children from the ravages of socialism, he seems willing to burden them with a new tax law that favors the rich and costs average citizens. Perhaps his children are among the rich who are benefiting.
He also challenged any future health-care reform asserting that Americans have rejected socialist Obamacare, completely forgetting to mention that his party and Trump had cut the budget for ACA open-enrollment advertising in 2018 while offering “short-term health plans” with lower premiums but less coverage. Perhaps that will save some citizens money in the short term, making up for their money lost in their tax refund! But if real health issues arise, what will the ultimate cost to them be?
Despite changes made to the ACA by Stewart and others, Utah enrollments are up from 194,118 in 2018 to 194,510 in 2019. It may be a small increase, but that’s still 392 additional Utahns covered in spite of efforts to deny them adequate medical coverage. Stewart would do well to learn what’s happening in his own state!
Here’s some “fact” news, Mr. Stewart. Although total enrollment in the U.S. is down from 2018’s 11,750,175 to 2019’s 8,411,614, it all depends on which state’s enrollment is being considered. Some, such as Utah’s, are up a bit as are others such as Mississippi’s, Oklahoma’s, Hawaii’s, and Florida’s (yes, Republican Florida!) while others are down or other enrollments such as Nebraska’s are about flat. So perhaps Congressman Stewart’s assertion that Americans have rejected the ACA is some of that “fake news” he likes to reference? Even with the changes he and the president have offered, many citizens still choose to rely on the ACA.
Progressives in attendance were generally interested in asking about climate change, health care, and immigration. Although I’d planned to ask about one aspect of the tax act, my name was not drawn from the pot where attendees who wanted to speak had placed slips. The “progressive” angels must have been smiling on them that night, however, because many progressives’ slips were chosen, giving them some air time. Not that it made much difference to Mr. Stewart, however.
I think the thing that baffled and appalled me the most was when Stewart was lauding and glorifying Trump, even saying, “I love him.” Really, he “loves” him? I have no doubt that he greatly admires Trump. Of course he condemned the media and all their “fake news” against Trump asserting it is unjustified while failing to mention that much of what is laid on Trump is the result of his own actions through his tweeting.
So when the event was over, I was definitely ready to head home to a glass of wine to settle myself. As I was leaving a woman with a MAGA ball cap passed me and asked, “Do you think I should shake the hand of the next president of the United States?” Not wanting to be totally rude, I just answered, “It’s your hand!”
The viewpoints expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Independent.
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Hi Lisa,
I’ve been following you ever since my husband and I moved here from CA several years ago. For a while, I was somewhat active in raising my voice against Republicans, especially Trump, in the form of phone calls to congressman, a couple letters published in the St George Newspaper, attending local marches, a couple SUWA meetings, and signing petitions. For the past year or so I’ve backed off doing much of anything except signing petitions and complaining with friends who are just as horrified by both local Utah politics and Trump.
I’m writing you because of how you described your reaction to Congressman Stewart’s town hall meeting. Your reaction is similar to my own and I often wonder how so many in this state have fallen under the spell of such a cultish leader as Trump as well as supporting local elected officials who are aligned with Trump’s craziness. Well,I do have my own theories as a retired psychotherapist, but still…..I’m shocked and terrified by neighbors and a few friends who support such hogwash and don’t seem to be able to cut through the obfuscation that attempts to hide the fact that we’re being manipulated into voting against our own interests.
Bottom line..I commend you for your tenacity in being politically active when the odds are not in favor of factual news, truth, sanity and integrity.
You have the brains and temperament required to speak for those of us who feel this dark political climate so deeply that it can be paralyzing.
I myself have times when I must stop listening and watching much of the news and instead read only select articles in order to keep my stress level and anger from hurting me physically. I hope you keep up with the fight. I’ll be cheering for you on the sidelines.