Hah! Made Ya Call
So, there I was. Monday morning. Stomping the residual snow off my boots as I stood by my desk at work, turning on the computer, stacking the piles of charts and messages left for me during my absence into a single ascetically pleasing pile, when I happened upon The Message.
It was left by one of our receptionists, L, who is excellent and has a sense of humor. Basically, it requested for me to call ASAP!!! a woman named Barbara who was calling on behalf of Congressman Tom Price, as they wanted me to be the chairperson of some health care committee for the state of Illinois and they needed to do the press release.
??? (insert confused dog expression, here)
"Who's Congressman Tom Price?" I asked my cohort and office mate, the chiropractor.
"Dunno. Never heard of him."
I read him the message, which wasn't any more helpful on the second reading. Or the third.
Scratching my head and figuring there was a mistake (because no one in their right mind would be looking for me to be on, let alone chair, a State committee), I asked L, who had taken The Message. She didn't know what it was about, either, but did note that this person often called for another of my partners who basically would ignore the messages or would tell her to toss it.
Completely intrigued, I did what any of us in the blogosphere would have done.
I googled him.
Turns out he's a Republican from Georgia.
Even more perplexed as to why a congressman from Georgia would be calling me to call ASAP!!! (or at least one of his minions), I picked up the phone and dialed away. The phone was pleasantly answered by someone not named 'Barbara'. I explaned that I had a message to call, was asked my name and address, and then told to first please listen to the following recording and that she'd be back on the line to discuss it when it was over.
A few seconds into it, I nearly hung up as it started with something akin to the Following (Not verbatim as I don't have that sort of memory, but the substance is correct):
"Hello, this is Congressman Tom Price. As a fellow phycian I am sure you are as concerned about Senator Hillary Clinton and her socialist agenda for the future of health care. You are also concerned that others may take control of the practice of medicine out of our hands..." There was some other stuff along the same lines. You get the picture. The whole thing lasted about 2 minutes.
Then the nice woman not named 'Barbara' came back on the line and asked if I had listened to the recording. I said I had and that they really, really didn't want me, as I was a staunch Democrat.
"Oh. I'm sorry about that," She said. "Sometimes there is a mistake on our lists. I'll just remove your name. Thank you."
And we parted company.
I was about to ask her if she meant that she was sorry that she'd called me in error or if she was sorry to hear that I was of such a sorry excuse for a physician, as we are all, clearly, conservatives. (I figure that's the only way they could have gotten my name, from some generic list of docs.)
But, at least I wasn't hit up for a campaign contribution, as I'm guessing that's what the ASAP!!! call was all about. Can't imagine a Georgia congressman would be having anything to do with an Illinois State committee. Sorry. Should have played along for a bit more and given you more of the scoop, but I have my limits, even in the interest of blogging.
It was left by one of our receptionists, L, who is excellent and has a sense of humor. Basically, it requested for me to call ASAP!!! a woman named Barbara who was calling on behalf of Congressman Tom Price, as they wanted me to be the chairperson of some health care committee for the state of Illinois and they needed to do the press release.
??? (insert confused dog expression, here)
"Who's Congressman Tom Price?" I asked my cohort and office mate, the chiropractor.
"Dunno. Never heard of him."
I read him the message, which wasn't any more helpful on the second reading. Or the third.
Scratching my head and figuring there was a mistake (because no one in their right mind would be looking for me to be on, let alone chair, a State committee), I asked L, who had taken The Message. She didn't know what it was about, either, but did note that this person often called for another of my partners who basically would ignore the messages or would tell her to toss it.
Completely intrigued, I did what any of us in the blogosphere would have done.
I googled him.
Turns out he's a Republican from Georgia.
Even more perplexed as to why a congressman from Georgia would be calling me to call ASAP!!! (or at least one of his minions), I picked up the phone and dialed away. The phone was pleasantly answered by someone not named 'Barbara'. I explaned that I had a message to call, was asked my name and address, and then told to first please listen to the following recording and that she'd be back on the line to discuss it when it was over.
A few seconds into it, I nearly hung up as it started with something akin to the Following (Not verbatim as I don't have that sort of memory, but the substance is correct):
"Hello, this is Congressman Tom Price. As a fellow phycian I am sure you are as concerned about Senator Hillary Clinton and her socialist agenda for the future of health care. You are also concerned that others may take control of the practice of medicine out of our hands..." There was some other stuff along the same lines. You get the picture. The whole thing lasted about 2 minutes.
Then the nice woman not named 'Barbara' came back on the line and asked if I had listened to the recording. I said I had and that they really, really didn't want me, as I was a staunch Democrat.
"Oh. I'm sorry about that," She said. "Sometimes there is a mistake on our lists. I'll just remove your name. Thank you."
And we parted company.
I was about to ask her if she meant that she was sorry that she'd called me in error or if she was sorry to hear that I was of such a sorry excuse for a physician, as we are all, clearly, conservatives. (I figure that's the only way they could have gotten my name, from some generic list of docs.)
But, at least I wasn't hit up for a campaign contribution, as I'm guessing that's what the ASAP!!! call was all about. Can't imagine a Georgia congressman would be having anything to do with an Illinois State committee. Sorry. Should have played along for a bit more and given you more of the scoop, but I have my limits, even in the interest of blogging.
Labels: Workish
posted by Diana at 8:36 AM
14 Comments:
Hmm. Oh, that Hilary. I guess I hadn't realized that she was a socialist. But, you know, Tom Price said so. Whomever he may be.
Kind of makes you want to know how he feels about Obama.
And I think you did just fine in your pursuit of blogging material.
You should have forwarded him over to Charles. I recall how you 2 would play doctor when you were dating--you would respond to him asking you nerve and muscle reaction questions. (See, I told you I would embarass you sometime.)
Gosh, a state committee and all I ever got was a School District Budget Committee appointment. And a socialist is better than an anarchist.
The Ole Liberal RF-er
Diana, I am pissed off on your behalf. Why that scam is downright dishonest. From a polititian, who'd a thunk it? I think you should call back and take him up on the offer to head the committee. Or just tell him to stick his head up....never mind.
V.
Well, you've cemented it: I'm not voting for Tom Price.
The fact that he's in Georgia and I'm in Minnesota doesn't matter.
Nor does the fact that I'm pretty far left of being a Democrat.
I'm sure now that he's lost my vote. Such scandalous tactics!
I'm with Jocelyn and Voyager. That is underhanded behavior--not a bit surprising, though.
To make you call and and have to listen to a recording. Send that Price jaboney a frickin' bill for your time, since he's so gung-ho about preserving the current payment system.
You really should.
The stupid sods, how unethical! Argh argh argh argh *furballs*
I'm so sorry you, OTOH, have ethics. The possibilities otherwise simply bloggle the mind.
Wow- asshatery from Republicans, who would of thunk it??
Yes, Hillary, evil socialist out to destroy America through expanding access to healthcare! Damn her and her evil plots to make sure poor people get access to medical treatment! Will she stop at nothing?!
I kinda wished you would have played a long a little longer to see how bad it would get, but then again, I would hate to have you exposed to that bad Republican mojo for too long.
sputters incoherently
Oh. my.
Everything I can think to say is unfit for polite company...
and, Hillary is a Socialist? Who knew? My, but she's come a long way from her Republican roots.
Oh my. I am somewhat frightened. Socialist? Really? To think I liked her. I think I may have to be swayed from my staunch stance and start leaning to the right. But.I.Can.Not.
Friggin..socialist democrats.. :)
Chalk that down as reason number 653465, as to why I will never be a Republican.
More power to you Diana, for what you did. :)
Dana- Gosh! I never realized she was a socialist, either. I for one will always be thankful he set me straight. Perhaps had I a bit more coffee in my system I'd have had the fortitude to continue the conversation to find out what I don't know about Obama.
Dad- Better a Committee in the hand than two in the bush.
Voyager- You know, the longer I muse on it, the more pissed I feel. Initially, I was relieved that I wasn't going to have to politely decline whatever the hell the ficticious committee was, now I'm appalled at the political 'bait and switch'.
Jocelyn- Thank you in joining me in not voting for him. So far, seems we've got a solid block of Anti-Price extreme Northerners (not to mention the contingent from Portland, OR). Add a few from the Dakotas (there must be one or two lefties hiding up there) and some from Michigan, we just may be able to swing this.
Rozanne- I felt the need for a shower and strong soap afterward. You know, I really should. And one based on the attorney rates we could charge for our time (not the patient rates) for such things as depositions and expert testamonies. Woot! As soon as the check clears, dinner's on me, guys!
Johnny- So, what do the slimy politicos in Portugal do? Or are the Porties of stronger moral fiber? I'll forward the patented furball via Fed Express.
Stacy- Really! The 'family values' party! Guess I'll have to change my party affiliation to 'Socialist' to vote for the basic human right that is universal health care. I am wishing I'd gotten more out of Not Barbara, now, too. Or maybe even gotten to speak to Actual Barbara?
Teri- Oh, sweetie, you know this blog is not fit for polite company. What's next for her? Communist? She has come a long, long way (or the Democratic Party has itself shifted way right of what it used to be).
Beth- Noooooo! Fight the Price Force! It leads only to darkness and deceit. Here. Have some sushi or some nice organic greens. (Because that's what all us libbies eat.) Better?
Sanjay- I was wondering what you'd have done as I sat there, afterward. I should have given her your number as someone I'd heard really praising El Price and who was wondering what he could do to help boost such a moral voice of America.
lol@Diana.. Maybe you should have. I would have loved talking to these folks. :)
Funny, isn't it, how Republicans pull out certain descriptive words to describe liberals..."socialist", "traitor", "unAmerican"....
On second thought, not "funny" at all....
Mona!- Hello, familiar face! Isn't it? You'd think we'd get with the mud-slinging and respond in kind with "heartless fuckers" "freedom stealing liars" and "trashers of the constitution", but apparently we are of higher moral fiber.
Ahem.
Nope, nothing to laugh about. Agreed.
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