Click the play button on the video window to the see the storyCHANDLER, AZ -- Thousands turned out Monday night in Chandler to hear Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) answer their questions about healthcare.
A capacity crowd of 1,500 people filled the Basha High School gymnasium.
The Chandler Fire Department estimated they had to turn away another 500 people at the door.
"It shows you we are pissed off," said Pat Rice of Chandler who was one of those not admitted inside. "Why do we need healthcare shoved down our throats?"
Unlike similar forums held by members of Congress in other parts of the country, Monday night's town hall forum remained civilized.
"I'm for reform but we have to work on it, we have to have patience," said Dr. Roger Spark of Sun Lakes.
Shelley Petrik of Chandler told Flake whatever plan Congress ends up passing should be his personal healthcare plan as well.
"I think it would influence what decisions (members of Congress) make about us if they're forced to live with the decisions we'll have to live with," said Petrik.
Bill Winsberg, also of Chandler, did get into a heated exchange with the Congressman that ended with him calling Flake a hypocrite.
"If he's not willing to take on Medicare and the VA as 'single-payer systems' that he's against, then he's a hypocrite," said Winsberg.
Flake plans to hold a similar town hall forum on Thursday at 7 p.m., only this time via teleconference in which he will answer questions about healthcare over the telephone.
To sign up for the teleconference,
click here, then enter your name, phone number, and e-mail address under the teleconference tab on the right side of the page.
