One of the things that makes democracy possible is the free and respectful exchange of ideas. This is why I’m appalled by disruptions of town hall meetings.
My disgust has nothing to do with my opinion about health care reform, although I don’t see why having a public option for health insurance is “tyranny.” Tyranny is one group of people try to impose their views on others through force and intimidation. I also don’t see why President Obama is a “fascist” for proposing changes in health care. Fascists in 1930s Germany stormed opposition party meetings and shouted down political opponents. They usually followed this with physical violence. Fortunately, these town hall disruptions haven’t denegrated to this level, but we’re getting dangerously close to that.
And don’t blow off my concerns by calling me a “liberal”. Liberal and conservative have nothing to do with this. What’s at stake is our Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and assembly. Read the rest of this entry »
