Town Hall Thugs Just Sore Sports

For progressives, folks on the left and especially socialists; it’s nothing new to see legislation we despise come to fruition. For example, we were opposed to both wars, the USA PATRIOT Act and countless forms of deregulation just to name a few. In each case we organized non-violent protests, wrote about our dissatisfaction and then respectfully took our losses, brushed ourselves off and got back up for the next round. Now, in the 9th inning, when it seems like some “liberal” policies might be making a comeback, we are all watching to see how the former titans of the right are handling it…. And, well frankly it’s been a raucous display of piss-poor sportsmanship. Attitude and behavior akin to booing, hissing, cursing, throwing bats and taking outright sucker punches.

The rash of disruptions at recent town hall meetings about health reform have been a serious hindrance to the small “d” democratic process. While we on the left will be the first to tell you that we do not live in a democracy, we do acknowledge a certain number of democratic mechanisms espoused in our current system. Public meetings, civil discourse and free access to information are among the cornerstones of democracy; practices that we are not willing to give up. No matter the circumstances.

Having a free and open discussion about policies and options is a necessary precursor for the public to make an informed and rational decision. The use of scare tactics and outright lies spinning through the media lately can only be combated with genuine facts and useful information.

Full text of all congressional bills is available online at the U.S. Congress website. They are very lengthy, not impossible to read, but most people haven’t the time to sift through them. Independent and public media have offered some valuable details on the various plans. Town hall meetings and informational sessions are the next best way to get the low down on potential legislation. The corporate media has unfortunately proved itself, yet again, to be essentially worthless when one is seeking useful and reliable info.

As citizens in a somewhat democratic society we must take our information very seriously; always with a grain of salt, and demand more. Important decisions are not best made in shouting matches. Nor in a state of fear.

Voters must be guaranteed the right to safely gather and discuss important decisions effecting all of us. Furthermore, conveners of these meetings must also detail ALL of the options on the table, including HR676, the single-payer National Health Insurance plan, that will be debated on the house floor this fall.

As it has so often been throughout history, some groups of people conjure up the very desirable ideals of democracy when it is in their interest, but proceed to suppress them when the table is turned. To these folks I say: “Stop being sore losers. The season is not over.”