Michele Bachmann's Health Care Town Hall

Like many members of Congress have doned this summer, Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann held a town hall meeting for her constituents today, allowing them to voice their opinion about the very controversial proposed health care reform bill. Bachmann, who is against the bill, was joined by Texas Congressman Michael Burgess, who is a doctor and chair of the Congressional Health Care Caucus.

Hundreds of people packed the Lake Elmo, Minnesota middle school where the town hall took place, with overflow seating and video feed being provided for those who couldn't get into the auditorium. Most audience members applauded and cheered on the Congresswoman from the time she entered the room and told her they supported her decision to vote against the bill. One speaker, who had recently undergone knee surgery, told Bachman, "You're my hero - I like the fight you have."

The loudest cheers came when Bachmann spoke of British citizens giving birth in the hallways of hospitals, due to overcrowding. When a man interrupted, Bachman quickly retorted, "I'll tell you what, I've given birth here probably more times than you, sir. I've given birth in the Stillwater hospital and I'll tell you it is the finest care you could ever receive."

While most attendees applauded Bachmann's criticism of the bill, there were several who were there to speak out against her and other Conservatives. Dr. Ilya Gorodisher asked the Congresswoman, "Why do you persist on destroying the president's plan. Why do you persist on stretching the truth to the point of lies?" Others shouted the words "lies" and "shut up" over Bachmann's remarks.

Media who attended the event described it as "lively" and "feisty" and said many speakers' words were drowned out due to applause and boos. Some audience members even left early, stating that they were tired of the yelling and screaming. Hostility amongst attendees on both sides of the fight has been a fairly common theme at many similar town hall meetings throughout the summer.

Bachmann referred to the American health care system as the "greatest health care system the world has ever known" and insisted the new health care bill would destroy it. Last week, she appeared on Fox News' "Hannity" to discuss this very issue. There, she stated that the bill was unconstitutional and asserted that many members of Congress were not listening to their constituents. She encouraged the American people to stand up against the bill and not to be fooled when leaders referred to the "public option" by another name.

You can watch video of Bachmann's appearance on "Hannity" here:

Michele Bachmann: The GOP's 2nd Most Hated Woman

Last night, Sean Hannity called her the GOP's "second most hated woman." He was, of course, talking about Congresswoman Michele Bachmann from Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. After Governor Sarah Palin, Bachmann is perhaps the most recognizable and outspoken female member of the Republican Party and much like Governor Palin, Bachmann is a target of liberals in Washington DC and within the media. Each week, we see her on numerous news programs or holding press conferences on every issues from abortion to wasteful spending, but just who is Michele Bachmann?

The third female and first Republican to represent Minnesota in Congress, Michele Bachmann was born on April 6, 1956 in Anoka, Minnesota. She graduated from Winona State University, received her J.D. from Oral Roberts University and her LL.M. degree in tax law from William and Mary. Bachmann, who is a mother to five children, began her political activism in the 90's by getting involved with her local school system. In 1993, Bachmann along with other parents opened a Charter School that's Christian leanings were the source of much controversy. She also loudly opposed Minnesota's "School-to-Work" program.

In 2000, Bachmann officially entered the political arena, becoming a State Senator representing Minnesota's 56th District. During that time, she proposed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. In 2004, she was appointed Assistant Minority Leader in charge of Policy for the Senate Republican Caucus. In 2006, Bachmann successfully won the election to her current seat in Congress. She currently serves on the Financial Services Committee and on several subcommittees including: Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises; Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology; Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

During her short time in Congress, Bachmann has been outspoken on everything from the war in Iraq to energy. She was a strong opponent of the federal bailout and introduced the Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act, insisting the government should not be in the business of telling consumers what they can and can't buy. In October, 2008, during a controversial appearance on "Hardball with Chris Matthews" she not only questioned Barack Obama's patriotism but called for an investigation into several Democratic members of Congress' patriotism. Bachmann has taken a strong position on several other current, hot-button issues including favoring the privatization of Social Security and constitutional amendments banning gay marriage and opposing minimum wages increases and abortion.

Bachmann, not one to stray away from controversial topics or stand up what she believes in, is currently under fire for refusing to fill out the 2010 Census. Bachmann told The Washington Times she would only answer the question about how many people lived in her household, claiming the Census is becoming far too personal, "I know for my family the only question we will be answering is how many people are in our home, we won't be answering any information beyond that, because the Constitution doesn't require any information beyond that." Several House Republicans have been urging Bachmann to reverse her decision.

Bachmann currently lives in Stillwater with her husband Marcus. The couple has five children: Lucas, Harrison, Elisa, Caroline, and Sophia. They currently own a small mental health care practice. Bachman, who was yesterday appointed to be a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's advisory board has parented 23 foster children.