Republicans and Democrats are again competing for attention at the annual Howard County Fair, but this non-election year seems to have a bit more edge for some than usual, according to several volunteers manning the two party booths.
"Saturday morning, a man came by and said he'd never vote for a Republican," GOP central committee member Loretta Shields said. He was angry because of what he believes to be organized right-wing attempts to disrupt congressional town hall meetings on health care.
"There are just some people who come over just to talk and say stuff," Shields said, not to have a real conversation. The man just wanted to vent, she said.
Carole Fisher, a longtime Democratic stalwart and central committee member in the competing booth across the main walkway at the fair, said she's had similar experiences.
"I've done this for a long time and I never remember it being so nasty," Fisher said.
Cathy Zomlefer, vice chair of the county's Democratic State Central Committee, said some people just want to needle the opposition, though "four out of five [visitors] are on our side."
Some want to talk about the rumor about a "death plan" that is actually a proposal to allow Medicare to pay for a voluntary consultation with a doctor about advance directives and end-of-life care to avoid last-minute, emotion-wracked decisions that can split a family. Democrats try to set them straight, Zomlefer said, but most won't listen.
"They have their talking points. We pretty much don't argue," she said.
Back at the GOP booth, Karen Jacob, 45, stopped to buy a "I really miss Reagan" bumper sticker, along with one celebrating veterans' sacrifices. She used to be a Democrat, she said, but has read a lot about the issues and switched registrations several years back.
"The whole idea of what they [Democrats] are trying to do [on health care] is frightening," she said.
"Elderly people with health issues won't get care," she said is her understanding of the proposals. Besides, she said, "I don't want to give to people who aren't putting back" to society.
Still, most visitors ignore politics, both sides agreed, except perhaps for the Democrats' free chilled water jug, and the "It's cool to be Republican" hand-held fans.
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