Shreveporters Protest Obama Health Care Bill (Tea Party)
by Icess Fernandez - Shreveport Times (excerpt)

Small business owner Sharon McCullar doesn't have health insurance. But even without it, she doesn't think the current health bill is a good idea. "I am diametrically opposed to this country elevating the debt ceiling," she said. McCullar joined about 50 people, members of the Red River Tea Party, outside of Sen. Mary Landrieu's area offices Thursday to protest its passage. Congress is scheduled to vote on the health care reform bill on Sunday.

Thursday's event was the last chance to voice the group's collective opinion, said Royal Alexander, local attorney and Red River Tea Party board member. "We're here to send a message to Congress," he said. "We support a number of the reforms but the idea that government take over our insurance we don't support." At Landrieu's office, located inside the federal court house, the crowd held signs that said "We the People Say No to Obama care" and "Shame on You." Some with bullhorns, the crowd chanted different slogans including "No, Mary. No" and "Can you hear us now?" Cars and trucks honked in support as 5 p.m. traffic drove by.

Although there are some reforms in the bill that the group was in favor for, they haven't been able to digest the entire large document, Alexandar said. "A lot of people in Congress haven't seen it," he said. "It's crazy for us to know what's in the bill when our Congress doesn't even know what's in it." Fred Hensel, who also participated in the rally, said the price tag for the bill was too high. "We're all for health care for everyone, but we can't afford it," he said. "There are so many other ways to go about it."