FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer write in a USA Today op-ed that opponents of the debate "are afraid not just of differing views - but of the facts themselves". They claim that "drowning out the facts" is how this country has failed many times at overhauling health care.
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Although they say dialogue is at the heart of democracy. These Democrats describe the protests as an "ugly campaign" that misrepresents reform and disrupts the discussion. They point to tactics that have included: hanging in effigy one Democratic congressman, holding a sign that showed a tombstone with the name of another lawmaker, and shouting "Just say no" over those who wanted to have a real discussion on reform.
Pelosi and Hoyer insist that despite the disruptions, members of Congress will listen to their constituents and explain the reform. They say they're confident that their health care plan will stand up to any critics.
Meanwhile, Republicans insist the protests are legitimate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calls complaints from Democrats "absurd". He says attacking people for expressing their opinions "may indicate some weakness in their position." McConnell says the fact is Americans are concerned about health care reform, and the Democrats need to deal with that.
Here’s my question to you: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Steny Hoyer call the town hall protests against health care reform "Un-American." Are they?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Mike says:
Yes, the protests are un-American. We have a lot of people without health care, and every day numerous American citizens die needlessly because of it. The protestors have no concern for anyone but themselves.
Rita from Pensacola, Florida says:
When the Bush administration did anything that was not to our liking, being un-American was the way to drown any criticism. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, they are screaming "freedom of speech".
Ron from Vero Beach, Florida says:
The Democratic Congress should force the health care plan down the throats of the Republicans who refuse to participate in reform, apparently finding it more productive to encourage their constituents to shout down any attempt at civil discussion. President Obama was elected because of his agenda, which is the people's agenda.
Lynn from Oklahoma City says:
Jack, Pelosi is full of it. She just can't handle the truth that "we the people" hate her plan and won't just follow her into "hell". If she loves this plan so much, why is it there isn't a requirement that all federal employees (including the House and Senate) go on it? I'll tell you why: because she knows it's crap!
Bev from New York says:
The behavior is un-American and thuggish, and shows to the rest of the world that ignorance is alive and well here in the U-S-of-A. When I look at some of coverage, most of these clowns are bigots worrying about their own Medicare, or wanting "their America" back. None of them have read the plan, as evidenced by how fast the euthanasia rumor got around. Even the non-reading, Alaska quitter was willing to repeat it.
Jim from Colorado says:
Being loud, rude, crude and obnoxious have always been American traits. The term 'Ugly American' wasn't coined without a reason.