For some time now, I have wanted to comment on the raucous series of townhalls which have taken place across the nation. And instead of focusing on the issue itself, I would rather approach the phenomenon from a more political angle.
Many Democrats seem to be completely taken aback by the protester’s passion and anger, which is not always centered around the issue of healthcare. And while media personalities, pundits, Members of Congress, and even the President himself, attempt to discount much of populist backlash against the healthcare bill, the fact of the matter is, there is fierce opposition to this proposal and a building consensus against much of the President’s economic agenda.
The claim that these protests are simply, “astroturfing” (a term being employed now, ad nauseum) by special interest groups is hardly realistic (DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT CRAIG MILLER WAS PAID OFF?), considering the sheer numbers and diversity of protesters. Surely there are plenty of individuals defending their own “special-interests,” but even so, isn’t that why we all get involved in politics? Furthermore, considering the credentials of our current president as a community organizer, you would think that there would be a little more consideration towards a clearly disenfranchized body of American citizens (no, I won’t call them a “mob“).
The response from the Left to these episodes has been constant and arrogant, and as with the TEA-party demonstrations, these self-proclaimed elitists have had a hayday revealing how unsophisticated and “irrational” these Americans are. What Democrats don’t realize is, by insensitively categorizing these citizens as “rabid right-wing extremists“, “un-American“, and likening them to “nazis“, they are alienating a vast cross-section of society. And worse yet, they are completely dismissing serious concerns from their most politically active constituents.
Democrats are doing their cause a great disservice by refusing to acknowledge the legitimate points poised by millions of Americans, and instead, branding all opponents as racists, reactionaries, and lobbyists. Protesting is not “un-American,” in fact, it is an integral part of being an American. And no matter how unsophisticated many of these protesters are, they have serious fears over the direction in which this administration is trying to lead the country on the issue of healthcare. The burden of proof is not the responsibility of average citizens, these politicians are obligated to sell this plan to the American people. And so far the President has done a poor job of doing so. While pundits and politicians continue to criticize and demean these objectors, millions of Americans will continue to have serious doubts about whether or not this “healthcare reform” is the right thing for them. Democrats will LOSE on this issue, not because of special-interests, not because of a mobilized group of neo-nazi conservatives… it will be because Democrats are failing to connect with millions of concerned Americans, it will be because Democrats refuse to even acknowledge the serious issues themselves.
Because of this inability to focus on the legitimate objections of millions of American citizens, Democrats are going to pay for it come election time, not to mention, they will risk the very passage of the legislation itself. Not all opponents to these bills are extremists, in fact, most are not.
All elected officials, yes even Democrats, should represent their constituents to the best of their ability. They should appreciate the impact of populist movements and address the true fears and concerns from their constituents. Failure to do so may be costly come election time.
- Marc
UPDATE: You know a political party is in trouble when they would rather demonize the opposition instead of engaging on “the issues.” Democrats are unleashing a campaign to brand all protesters at these town halls as “racists.” But even some Dems are calling this tactic out for what it is: a dishonest political cheap shot. I mean, come on! When pundits start asking if the word “socialist” is a new “code word” equivalent to the “N-word,” you know that their cause is no longer on the offensive, it is on the defensive.
After a very generous call in donation, Tyler is now past the halfway point on raising $1,000 for the Special Olympics as part of their Over the Edge rappel challenge.
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