August 10, 2009
Pelosi and Hoyer call reform opponents 'un-American'
You know Democrats think they are in real trouble on the health care reform issue when they stop trying to argue the merits of their ideas and instead, attack the opposition with charges of racism, Nazism, and now, "un-Americanism."
Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer - the numbers one and two most powerful Democrats in the House - want you to know that you are betraying the country by opposing their fantastic ideas on health care reform. Writing in USA Today , the Bobbsey Twins say:
In the meantime, as members of Congress spend time at home during August, they are talking with their constituents about reform. The dialogue between elected representatives and constituents is at the heart of our democracy and plays an integral role in assuring that the legislation we write reflects the genuine needs and concerns of the people we represent.
However, 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. These tactics have included hanging in effigy one Democratic member of Congress in Maryland and protesters holding a sign displaying a tombstone with the name of another congressman in Texas, where protesters also shouted "Just say no!" drowning out those who wanted to hold a substantive discussion.
Let the facts be heard
These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views - but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades.
"Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American" is very interesting coming from a Democratt. Is that why congressional Democrats only answer pre-selected questions from their audience of union supporters and take no serious questions about reform from opponents? Is that why congressional Democrats are denying entrance to their "open" town halls to people who are opposed to reform? Is that why some congressional Democrats refuse to even face their constituents and have "Telephone Town Halls" instead?
All of this "un-American" activity on the part of Congressional Democrats has to stop. And I submit that there is indeed one side that fears open debate on this issue - and it ain't those who oppose reform.