Updated 7/17/2009 7:48:46 PM
TUCKER, Ga. -- About a dozen protestors showed up outside Georgia Representative Hank Johnson's suburban Atlanta office at noon Friday.
They were just part of a larger nationwide protest against President Obama's health care reform bill.
The "Tea Party Patriots", as they call themselves, staged 254 similar protests across the nation, 37 in Georgia.
Most fear the bill will mean the type of socialized medicine that has created horror stories of long waiting lists in other countries.
"Why do you think tens of thousands of Canadians come to the United States to pay regular prices?" asked protestor Chip Spradley.
"Because they cannot get that free stuff in Canada," he added, "What we're doing is madness."
About a half-dozen counter demonstrators also showed up at Congressman Johnson's local office to support the health care reform bill.
"This is not socialized medicine," claimed counter protestor Sandra Glaze.
She claims the Democratic bill will bring down soaring health care costs that many can't afford now.
"These cost reduction measures and insurance company efficiency standards," Glaze insists, "We're gonna see true reform to help out all Americans and small businesses...everyone."
Congressman Johnson was in Washington, D.C., but his office released a written statement praising the tea party protestors, even if he doesn't agree with them.
"I applaud the Tea Party Patriots for their involvement and activism on this and other issues," Johnson's statement read, "It shows they care and are passionate about their communities, the state and their country. While we don't agree on many issues, I honor and encourage their right to gather, protest and make their voices heard. I pledge to listen to their thoughts on health care as I begin the task of considering reform legislation."
