If you disagree with the powers that be, you're un-American

Democrats have doubled down on the health care debate in ways that should concern most people, and in ways that would positively shock the Founding Fathers. Not only are they trying to ram through a bad piece of legislation that few, if any, in the House have read. But they've urged their union thugs to harass people attending these town halls, and now Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are declaring those in opposition to the health care plan are "un-American":

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.

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.

Health care is complex. It touches every American life. It drives our economy. People must be allowed to learn the facts.

Let me start with that last point. It appears that the people know more about this bill than House members do. It's apparent we know more than the president, who keeps offering up the meme that if you like your health care now, or your doctor, you can keep both. that's not true. The House bill that was pushed through before the recess specifically states that if any change in your contract with a health care provider changes, like the amount of co-pays, your employer will be forced to dump you into a qualified government plan (Page 16-17 of HR 3200). And there's the matter of the death panels the elderly will have to deal with. (No, they won't kill them directly. But their failure to treat will result in the elderly dying a slow, painful death, in many cases.)

As to the part that we're un-American, I recall a screed form 2003 by Hillary Clinton where she argued that we have a right to debate and disagree with an administration. Michelle Malkin has the video at the link, but let's recall what she said:

“I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration somehow you’re not patriotic. We should stand up and say we are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration.”

She's right, but for one reason more important that simple, partisan politics (which that screed was directed). The First Amendment guarantees us the right to speak our minds, and to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. These aren't just rights, folks. It's our duty as citizens to execute these rights to keep the government in check. We, the people, are the ultimate check against a government that some may say has become tyrannical in nature.

(No, we're not accusing this administration of being a tyranny, but it's actions have many concerned. What actions, you ask? Oh, I don't know, maybe an Internet Snitch Brigade that is being encouraged to report people, anonymously, to the White House who opposes this so-called reform.)

We have a job, as citizens, to perform. When the Congress refuses to acknowledge the facts of a piece of legislation, and demands we shut up and take this it falls to us to stand in opposition. And we are backed up not only by precedent, but by the Constitution itself. Of course given the reaction that we're witnessing from the Congress and the administration, it's pretty clear legislation isn't the only thing they haven't read. The Constitution seems to be another document they just don't have the time to read.

Publius II