Now that Paul Ryan has joined the Republican ticket, both he and Romney have indicated that this is to be the start of substantive campaigning. A turning point, if you will, which will see a move away from negativity to the bigger issues at hand, like jobs and the economy. We wonder if Paul remembers a time when his constituents wanted some answers to those pressing questions and decided to buy a ticket to a luncheon to finally get their much requested face time with the congressman — and how what enfolded should forever be the Asterisk next to his name.
In September of last year, Ryan made an appearance at the Whitnall Park Rotary Club in Greenfield, Wisconsin, before a paying crowd whose $15 admission fee included a hot lunch. The event came on the heels of an August recess that saw no free town hall meetings open to the public, Politco reports.
Before the event, protestors lined the streets demanding answers to the rising unemployment rate in Ryan’s district. In addition, several paid the admission fee and waited for an opportunity to hear what the congressman had to say, and to ask their own questions which they indicated had gone unanswered when they attempted to reach the congressman via phone, email, and post. What ensued is the poorest demonstration by a congressman one would hope to encounter. His response to being questioned by his constituents was tantamount to the antics of a squirming child, not those of a respected, honest, responsible public servant. In effect, he handled the situation by cowardly evading, sneering, jeering, and encouraging the censure of his constituents — loudly exclaiming how he’d gotten their $15.
In response, those who dared confront their representative looked on to see a stunned-into-inertia Paul Ryan, who stood idly by as they were arrested on the scene, and then later laughed and made jokes at their expense.
“I’m being arrested because I spoke out against my congressman,” one woman yelled at the Fox camera as she was led out of the hall by two police officers.
In total, three people, including a 71 year-old male, were arrested and issued municipal citations. Two of the three were cited for trespassing and fined $429. The third, the older gentleman, was cited for trespassing and resisting arrest and fined $681. After he was said to be “resisting” he was thrown to the ground and in the midst of his howls of pain, you can hear Ryan making a one-liner.
Take a look.
If this guy can’t respond with any honesty, clarity, or responsibility to the citizens of Wisconsin, his district, in the smallest of venues, then what do you think he has in store for us, the nation?
Hat-tip to WritesforFood and Marmalade Teardrops.
Image Source: Getty Images
