By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Supporters of the Tea Party movement in Arkansas called on Gov. Mike Beebe today to take a position in the national debate on health care.
Following a rally at the state Capitol attended by close to 300 people, organizer Bob Porto, chairman of the Pulaski County Tea Party, delivered a letter to Beebe’s office asking the governor to oppose federal legislation to overhaul the nation’s health care system.
“As the leader of the Arkansas Democratic Party, we want to know what, specifically, you are doing to use your voice and position to stop the legislation that is moving towards passage in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives,” Porto wrote in the letter.
Porto also wrote that Beebe’s “continued silence now … is simply not acceptable.”
One of the reform measures being debated in Washington would create a government-run health insurance option but would allow states to opt out of the program. Beebe has said he needs more information before he can take a position on the proposal.
Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said today the governor’s view has not changed.
“He needs to see a specific plan and we need to see the objective data on what it means for Arkansas, both in terms of what it will potentially provide our people and what it will potentially cost our people,” DeCample said.
The national Tea Party movement advocates smaller government and fiscal accountability. The theme of Monday’s rally was “Countdown to Accountability.”
Porto said the rally was intended to send a message not just to Beebe but to all elected officials and office-seekers in Arkansas.
“This is Nov. 2,” Porto said. “In 365 days we’ll return to use our vote. Those that are in office now we ask to be accountable to the citizens, listen to what we have to say, and those that are running for office, we would like for them to listen to what we say and then follow the values that we’re showing that we want represented.”
While Porto delivered the letter to Beebe’s office, supporters stood in the hallway holding signs with slogans such as “Fire them all” and “Vote em out 2010.” Asked if he expected the Tea Party movement to oppose Beebe’s re-election if the governor endorses a health care overhaul, Porto said, “No comment on that.”
Sherry Williamson of Hot Springs, who attended the rally, said she is skeptical of Beebe’s wait-and-see position on health care legislation.
“I think it is a cop-out,” Williamson said. “You’re either for it or you’re not.”
