Editor's Note: The continued debate surrounding health care town hall meetings and protests generated the most feedback on Friday’s American Morning. Evenly split between the two camps, those in favor of the protests did not believe they were part of an “organized” or “grassroots” effort on behalf of the Republicans. Those opposed to the disruptions adamantly argued that such activities were indeed planned by Republicans opposed to President Obama’s proposed health care plan.
For Protests
- Betty: I like my health care plan. Do not want the President’s plan of limiting senior care. Town hall meetings "organized & paid for". Show the proof.
- Judy: DNC call American Citizens an angry mobs at town hall meetings, they probably watched the game playing during the Energy and Commerce committee meeting last week. They want answers from their representatives, they want representation ( for which they were voted in to do) no voting on party lines and favoring only what their party wants.
- Sharon: I am a democrat. Have been all of my life. I am also against the President's plan for healthcare reform. In fact, I have made a homemade sign and participated in dialogue about it. I have written my congressmen. And yet I am one of many people that is being dismissed as a right-wing nut job, an unruly mob, part of an organized protest group set up by the RNC. Sorry but that just doesn't apply to me. Nor does it apply to most of the protestors that I have met. We are a mix of liberals, conservatives, independents and many others. We are not organized by the RNC. We have a right to free speech in this country and we are exercising it. It's funny how a group of liberals and left-wingers can come out in organized protest (and with pre-printed signs) and they are just "exercising their constitutional rights." But the everyday, average citizen comes out to have their say and we are dismissed as a "vast, right-wing conspiracy" or an "unruly mob." Really? Give me a break.
Against Protests
- Mary: There is no doubt that these "grassroots" protest groups are being organized and "trained". I was called yesterday by a friend who is part of the Republican group in my county asking for people to come to a meeting to "learn how to disrupt listening sessions" in Wisconsin. Those were her exact words. Guess she forgot I voted for Obama! In addition I think that "polling" CNN did yesterday was pretty funny. My boss ran around the office all afternoon getting on people's computers -without asking them- to make sure he could flood the CNN voting site with as many F votes for the Democrats and A votes for the Republicans as possible. You people in the media must be totally clueless. You aren't understanding what is happening out here in the real world and are giving all these dishonest people a great forum for their dirty tricks and falsehoods. When is the media going to grow up?
- Hazel: Even if the Republican party is not "orchestrating" the protests at the town hall meeting on health care reform, they are still responsible for inciting them with the use of their typical scare tactics of false propaganda.
- Patty: The Republicans use dirty tactics to create chaos and make people think there is something awful about to happen. They don't have anything constructive to add to a conversation so they don't allow any conversation at all and then they go on TV and deny everything. They are a disgrace to the American system and a negative force toward all progress that don't fit their agenda of GOD< GUNS. If they read their bible they would know that God is Love and love is not exclusive to the Republican point of view. I wish they would sit down and shut up. Listen for a change. They might learn something.
- Gyl: I am really worried about all the healthcare and our country. The only way we will solve this problems is through thoughtful discussion of ideas and respect for each other...not shouting and rudeness and mob mentality. Ask people to find a place within to work with our representatives to accomplish healthcare that will serve us all and stop all the rudeness and disrespect please.
Which side do you take in this argument? Tell us your thoughts.