News 12 at 6 o'clock, September 7, 2009

EVANS, Ga. ---In the past weeks many Republicans and Conservatives turned out in Augusta and the CSRA to voice opinions on health care. On Labor Day, Democrats had their turn.

A group held a rally in front of 10th District Congressman Paul Broun's office in Evans to voice their opinions on health care. Dr. Lowell Greenbaum, Richmond County Democratic Chairman, headed the event.

"He represents the 10th district --- both Augusta and Columbia County are part of that district - so we're here to protest both," says Dr. Greenbaum.

Gwendolyn Freeman, the Columbia County Democratic Chairperson agrees.

"When he took the binders and he held it up in the air and he just dropped them on the ground and kicked them," says Freeman. "To us that's disrespectful to the President."

Freeman is referring to August 10, 2009 when Rep. Broun spoke to a crowd in Columbia County at a town hall meeting. She along with others say - while they differ in party lines, Rep. Broun is also their Congressman and they want to be heard too.

"We are expecting support from him, some positive support because he is in our 10th district representative and we would like to let him know how we stand,"adds Freeman.

Rosemary Fitzpatrick points out that the already "government run" healthcare.

"Medicaid and Medicare are government run," says Fitzpatrick. "We've paid into, we're entitled to it."

Dr. Lowell Greenbaum says he's beginning to see a pattern.
"Everything he proposes,( President Obama) they are against,"he says. "They want to defeat Obama now. They don't want him to be successful in anyway shape or form. On this Labor Day, we are marching for health care and to let people know in the CSRA that we're not going to take Mr. Broun's comments lying down."

Rosemary Fitzpatrick says she has a simple message for Rep. Broun.

"Listen to his people in the District 10. There are people here who want this health care," says Fitzpatrick. "Try to listen to us. Come to one of our meetings and let us tell you what we want."

News 12 spoke with Representative Broun's office. The following statement was issued regarding the Labor Day protest at his Evans office:

"Much like the large Stop Obama-Care rally last week and the tea-parties earlier this year, both of which Congressman Broun supported and participated in, the gathering today is democracy in action. Seeing people involved in the political process - regardless of the viewpoint - is always welcomed. Congressman Broun is simply continuing to sound the alarm that he has been ringing since elected: America is on a slippery slope of putting government in control of our lives at the expense of our constitutionally protected freedoms."
--Office of Representative Paul Broun