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Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Community

Media Credit: Desarae Lee Signs left by demonstrators in front of Jim Matheson's office.

Media Credit: Desarae Lee A woman addresses the crowd at the MoveOn health care protest against Congressman Matheson.

A rally of about 20 people staked out Congressman Jim Matheson's office to protest his "no" vote on health care reform.

The rally may have been small but, "even small crowds make a difference, it's the passion that counts," said the rally coordinator Richard LaFaun.

These protesters gathered to make it known that Matheson is a disappointment. The claim he is hiding from them, calling him "a republican lapdog."

Their point was enforced when they went up to his office to confront Matheson, only ot find a dark office and a locked door. According to the speaker, Matheson's office had been notified of the rally.

"It's treachery is what it is," said one rally member. The messengers left signs and posters on his door for him to find in the morning.

"He needs to go Republican now," said Tami Sablan, "cause the Democrats sure don't want him, not this one."

Kim Spangrude, who helped host the rally, challenged Matheson to come to the clinic she directs too see just how many people are uninsured.

"Things have to change," said Spangrude, "we won't put up with it anymore."

In an interview with KSL News, Matheson said he thought the bill was too expensive, and it "lacked tort reform." In his view this would create an unstable system which he couldn't support.

This was just one of the demonstrations put on by the very proactive MoveOn organization. One small rally held outside Senator Orrin Hatch's office got national coverage.

MoveOn wants the country's democrats to become active in their campaign to pass a health reform bill that includes a "R.E.A.L" public option.

Flyers that were handed out at the rally described this "R.E.A.L" public option:

"Right away" - that they "can't afford" any more delays on the bill.

"Everyone," - they want an overall reform plan that covers everyone in America.

"Accountable" - they want a plan that is "accountable and transparent to Congress and to voters."

"Large enough to lower costs" - they want the plan "available nationwide with a broad network of providers."

The debate is now moving to the U.S. Senate, where the Utah delegation in the Senate is not supportive of the bill either.

Conservatives claim that the bill is not only too expensive, but that there are better alternatives to providing healthcare that don't require expensive government bureaucracies-especially church or charity supported hospitals.

But the voice of the rally says that it's not too late for a public option, "We can't afford to wait! Public option now!"

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