"Un-American"

As the health care debate continues across the country, a lot has been made of the “mobs” that have disrupted certain town hall meetings. The “mobs” of ordinary citizens actually questioning their elected representatives about particular aspects of the different health care bills has become the story as opposed to the actual language in these draft bills. The Speaker of the House and the House Majority Leader earlier this week published an op-ed in the USA Today with the headline, “‘Un-American’ attacks can’t derail health care debate.” The op-ed goes on to state:
It is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue.

This same op-ed states that the ability to discuss with constituents is at “the heart of our democracy.” Yet I guess they only mean that if everyone agrees with their point of view. The Speaker and Majority Leader did not have a problem with “protest” discussions during the Bush Administration from the Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink folks. According to a link on the Drudge Report, “2006 Flashback: Pelosi Tells Protestors ‘I’m a Fan of Disruptors” So the story is that as long as you agree with the Speaker and her point of view, it is ok to protest the actions of the government. However, if you disagree with the Speaker’s point of view, you are “un-American” if you voice your opposition. Somehow, I don’t think that this is what our founding fathers had in mind when they established the first amendment, but then again I am someone who does not think that a government takeover of the health care system is the right thing to do, so I guess that makes me “un-American.”