Oh, my mistake. They’re a group of concerned citizens raising valid, well thought out points in civil public debates about changes to our health care system.
At least that’s what they’re screaming at the top of their lungs.
It’s hard to watch these town hall debacles. I have yet to hear one cogent point raised by any of the screaming mass of citizens. Haven’t heard anything based on what has truly been put forth yet.
I hear “death panels” and “socialism” and “euthanasia.” I hear a lot of fear, many even saying outright that they fear Obama.
Baracknaphobia.
Now, some of those who prod this mob forward use the Thomas Jefferson quote- When the people fear the government, it is tyranny. When the government fears the people it is liberty- as proof that indeed this government is tyrannical and will kill your Granny, your baby and all your houseplants. It must be- the people fear it.
The problem is that this is misguided fear fed by misinformation that plays to the most basal, instinctual fears of the sheep in this flock. They are not afraid of the government, they’re afraid of the unknown and that is a powerful fear. Unfortunately, it the one that is easiest to stir by those who wish to maintain the status quo. They play to the weaknesses of those who will join the flock, sometimes using a clouded racism to vilify Obama then screaming that the other side always plays the race card. It is an easily fed, gullible mob.
I haven’t seen enough of anything yet proposed to get too worked up over. I voted on the premise that there would be fundamental changes to some of the systems that run our country and I’m eager to see these changes. I have no fear of the unknown in this case. Rather, I am more afraid of maintaining things as they now are.
And that includes the mob of the dull-witted and unreasoning.
Addenda: My friend David Terrenoire had a great link in his Dark Planet blog today, to a rant from someone who has faced the currently existing death panels. It says everything. Check it out.
Redtree Times 
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