Our Freedom

I am torn and tormented by the health care town hall "discussions" that are turning into mayhem. I do believe that a thorough discussion needs to happen. I support the right to voice concern and opposition. We need to support 1st amendment rights for those on all points in the political belief spectrum. But violence? Orchestrated disruption? At what point do we say that the planned disruptions are robbing others of their 1st amendment freedom of speech?

I recall the ACLU defending the rights of the Nazi party to march and demonstrate in Skokie, Illinois during the 60's. I wondered at the time why the ACLU would do this....especially in a city inhabited by the largest number of Holocaust survivors in the U.S. at the time. The lesson? If we don't defend the rights of all people in our democratic society, we indeed threaten these very freedoms for the rest of our society.

It sickens me to see these "radical" right wingers take aim at health care reform based upon deliberately planted misinformation and scare tactics. Yet, despite my beliefs that health care reform is desperately needed in our country, I understand the greater need to allow these opponents a voice and a forum. Regardless of the tactic. Regardless of the level of misinformation. Regardless of the large special interest efforts to taint the issue.

Our country is great because we have and will continue to overcome division and dissent. Let's let these town hall meetings play out. Let's bombard our Congressmen with our letters of support and opposition. Then, let's let our elected officials do the the work that we sent them to Washington to do...represent us. If they develop policies that we don't like, the voter's booth awaits. This is what makes the United States of America a place I am proud to call home.