Jackson Free Press

OK, I get it. There are varying opinions on the new health-care bill. You have some who are staunchly in favor of the resolution. Others are none too fond of the new plan. This is what America was built on, correct? The right to respectfully disagree. The right to hold a different opinion than your neighbor, yet still be comrades with your neighbor.

Of all the polarizing issues that we've faced in the history of politics, this seems to be one that could rip the very foundation of this country's value system.

What's most unsettling is the anger and vitriol being spit from both sides of the aisle. It seems not so much like debate and more like barroom brawling, and the losers inevitably are the American people.

One side says that all Americans should have access to good health care—health-care that comes without strings and heals without prejudice. The other side feels that the government has overstepped its bounds. Another faction feels like American can't afford such a plan, while still others feel that health care is a privilege and not a right.

Arguing these points is not my issue. What I will always fight for is our right to argue points in the first place. We've put politicians in place to argue points for us, with vigor, but more so, with decorum.

That's why I'm puzzled by the ever-present race element I've seen in the health-care debate. While it saddens me that there are those who would hurl racial epithets at our lawmakers, what saddens me more is the fact, again, that it's being turned into a non-issue by those who want to quell conversation. Of course, we realize that not everyone who opposes the health-care bill is racist. We realize that tea parties are not comprised of only white Americans. Hell, my guest this past Sunday on "A Closer Look" was a young, black male, not a Republican or tea party member, who was vehemently against the new plan, citing financial concerns in an already cash-strapped country.

Fine. No problem there. Problem is, tea party talking heads are sending out releases saying they don't condone the slurs lodged at those congressmen. Question is, if you don't condone them, then why do you have members using them? Why aren't other tea party members, standing side by side with those spewing the hate, standing up to them and asking them to leave? Why are these "renegades" not being called out on the spot?

And if they're liberal "plants" as some have suggested, why aren't they being confronted? If you don't want the "racist" tag associated with your movement, why aren't you doing more than just issuing press releases? Does it even dawn on you that this is the reason folks feel like this is a "racial" issue? You may want to conveniently bury your head in the sand, but the fact remains that a lot of folks rallying against health care don't want to see the playing field leveled. There's a faction of those who are jeering at "big government" because "government" is now run by a black man.

So to those of you steeped in honest debate, understand that those factions are making you look bad and your argument weak. If both liberals and conservatives alike don't start wrangling in the crazies, there won't be much room left for us common-sense folk to have intelligent debate.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

157023

Comment

Wow! Well said!

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2010-04-01T21:39:55-06:00

ID

157108

Comment

A lot of the craziness on the right is being propped up by insurance companies and the right-wing media. All they're doing is playing to people's fears, which is among the worst things you can do in politics. Yet, the Republican party and right-wing media has only put out lukewarm condemnation (if that much) and I believe it will hurt them if they don't try and temper down the rhetoric.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-04-06T22:05:57-06:00

ID

157115

Comment

Good article, Kaze. Many good points. There are people in this country who would rather die and go to hell than to see this Administration succeed. Many of the people who are preparing for "The Revolution" have Medicare or Social Security. There is also a large segment of that polulation who will benefit from HCR, especially with pre-existing conditions for their children and the ability to keep young people covered on a parental policy until age 26. Where were the Tea Party folks and the Right Wingers when Bush took this country into a war predicated on a LIE. Where was the outrage? Just asking.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-04-07T09:39:48-06:00

ID

157133

Comment

There was one guy in Alabama who was openly calling for Democratic lawmakers' offices to have their windows broken by bricks. Why hasn't this man been arrested? The funny thing about it is that he's on Social Security!

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-04-07T13:49:30-06:00

ID

157134

Comment

GE, Because you still can't get arrested for talking about doing something in this country. I actually hadn't heard about this guy. I don't know why you think it's funny. Everyone who is a citizen and reaches a certain age gets SS unless you were fortunate enough to be able to opt out of the system.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-04-07T14:13:52-06:00

ID

157135

Comment

WMartin, I think you need to depend on a legal consult for your thought that "you can't get arrested in this country for talking about doing something." It depends on what you say, how you say it and to whome you say it to. The gentleman, Charles Wilson, who made tons of threatening calls last week to Senator Patty Murray's (Seattle, Washington) home has already been arrested. Are there any legal eagles who can weigh in on this one?

Author

justjess

Date

2010-04-07T14:25:18-06:00

ID

157137

Comment

Obviously, I was being overly simplistic, making threatening phone calls is obviously illegal as is harassment, threatening bodily harm, yelling fire in a crowded theater, etc... Standing on a soapbox as one lone nutcase trying to incite others to throw bricks, burn flags, toss poo, etc... is protected speech in this country. Once the first brick is thrown it becomes illegal. The incitement as well as the actual throwing of said projectile. However, I am not a lawyer as I still have a soul so a legal clarification would be helpful. There you go. He has been arrested GE.

Author

WMartin

Date

2010-04-07T14:48:27-06:00

ID

157142

Comment

I didn't mean funny as in a comical sense, but rather how ironic that he rails against socialism, but receives Social Security.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-04-07T15:21:59-06:00