A large crowd greeted Congressman Daniel Webster on Tuesday morning at American Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake for his “listening tour.”
There were five Lake County Sheriff’s Office vehicles parked outside the Legion hall, as there has been concern across the country as members of Congress return home to their districts. Webster opened an office in The Villages earlier this year and he was greeted by a large, rowdy crowd. You can read about that incident HERE
The Republican Congressman made it clear at the onset on Tuesday’s event that his role was to sit and listen. Those in attendance could state comments and ask questions, but he wanted them to be brief.
In an unusual format, the microphone went from person to person, asking their questions, stating their position, but never having a direct response from Congressman Webster. His role at this meeting was to sit and listen, without comment.
Issues raised were President Trump not releasing his tax return information and expensive travel to his private golf club in Florida, the Affordable Care Act, immigration reform and Russia’s tampering in the election.
George Owen, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, said he has spent most of his life defending his country and was a Republican for 50 years. He said he was proud of what his party did, but now he is astonished that the party and the Congressman put the GOP ahead of constituents. He told Congressman Webster that if we want to have a functioning government, the Congressman could be a hero, by changing that party-only focus and listening to the people that he is supposed to represent.
Pearl Kleinberger, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor who was at Auschwitz, wanted to know why there was not more reaction by the government to the rash of anti-Semitism in the country along with no reaction by President Trump to the blunders of Press Secretary Sean Spicer when he used terms such as “Holocaust Centers” and showed no knowledge of what took place during that time. She was also concerned about the overall culture of terrorism which she believes in promoted through the tweets of disrespect by the president.
Cindy Grossman expressed her concerns about the privacy of visitor logs at the White House, the involvement of the Russians in Trump’s election and the need for an independent investigation. She challenged the Congressman to “do his job” and ensure that there is transparency in government.
One veteran got a standing ovation after asking whether veterans benefits would be there for his family once he succumbs from having experienced Agent Orange, cancer and spinal stenosis.
The meeting wrapped up with Congressman Webster responding to some of the issues;
• With regard to health care, Webster said he stands for Americans getting the care they need at a price they can afford with the doctor they choose.
• He said the EPA is not going away and pointed out that he has won the Champion of the Everglades award, as well as the Friend of Nature Conservancy award. He said he is a friend of the environment.
• Webster reminded the audience each year he gives a portion of his salary to the U.S. Treasury in an effort to help pay down the debt.
