Protestors say Congressman Vern Buchanan is ‘M.I.A.’

Feb. 26--Chanting, "M.I.A., M.I.A., M.I.A." and holding signs like, "Single Payer 4 All," and "Don't Mess with My ACA," about 100 men and women protested Sunday outside of Congressman Vern Buchanan's gated community on Longboat Key, saying the representative isn't listening to their concerns.

The protestors, who gathered at 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key at 1:30 p.m. and chanted and used loud speakers to get their message of discontent across, want Buchanan to host a town hall meeting to talk about many issues, but especially health care and specifically the Affordable Care Act.

Many drivers who swept past on the busy Gulf of Mexico Drive blared their horns in support and made V signs with their fingers. A few drivers yelled out, "Trump Power" or "Go Trump," but they were in the minority.

Buchanan did not show up during the protest nor did any of his staff.

But on Sunday night, Buchanan spokeswoman Gretchen Andersen released a statement regarding the protest.

"Right now, Congressman Buchanan is on a congressional delegation visit to Afghanistan and other countries this week where he's met with Florida troops but plans to hold a town hall in the next district work period," Andersen wrote.

April seems to be the right time period for a town hall, and a firm date will be announced soon, Anderson indicated.

"The Congressman is happy to hear from constituents who want to voice their opinions," Andersen continued. "His door is always open."

Sunday's protest was the idea of Doreen Dupont, a retired Sarasota doctor who said she did it because Buchanan ignored "Stand Up Fight Back SRQ," a health care rally Dupont also created, which was held Saturday.

"I invited the Congressman and, if he wasn't available, I invited him to send a surrogate to come speak, which I thought was an honor," Dupont said Sunday.

"His district director said that he and his staff were unavailable and that his representative had met with us before," Dupont said. "I felt snubbed and I believe he left the country to hide from us. There's a sentiment that our representatives are missing in action, and I believe that he is."

Sura Charlier, of Bradenton, heard about Sunday's protest through Move On and social media.

"I have never attended a protest before," Charlier said. "But I was moved to attend this protest because I feel it is the responsibility of our elected officials to hold Town Halls, hear the opinions and needs and desires of their constituents and represent them. And what I have heard from Marco Rubio and Buchanan is that they will represent the needs of those they were elected by. What happens to the little less than half who did not vote for them? Do they just wait four years or six years or eight years. No!"

One of the protestors, Cynthia Kahn, who lives near University Parkway, held up a sign that said, "Vern: Party or Country."

"I'm here because I am upset about how the world is going, and I feel like many of our congress people and senators put their oath to their party above their oath to the country," Kahn said. "I want to remind Vern Buchanan that his top priority is what is good for the country."

Sarasota woman tells her story

Sarasota's Jayne Lemli, who suffers from Multiple sclerosis, wanted Buchanan to hear her story Sunday or, at least, see her protest sign.

Her sign read: "Healthcare is a Human Right. I have MS. Don't Take My Healthcare Away."

She has been enrolled in the Affordable Care Act for the past three years, which, she said, has made a positive difference in her ability to pay for her medical care.

Her insurance policy costs $20,000 annually, but the government chips in $10,000. She pays a $10,000 deductible out of her pocket.

"With a large deductible, I'm not getting anything from the insurance company, I am only paying to the insurance company," Lemli said. "Insurance companies shouldn't be profiting from health care."

"I believe in single payer health care," Lemli added. "I believe that health care is a right that everybody should have. I don't think you should have to have money to get decent health care. The Affordable Care Act was a halfway step in that direction."

If the ACA is completely dismantled, Lemli said she doesn't know what she will do.

"I won't be able to afford health insurance," Lemli added.

Richard Dymond: 941-745-7072, @RichardDymond

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