What has happened to people's behavior? The behavior of people during the health care debate has been nothing short of appalling. There are groups I would expect to conduct protests, but the complete disregard to civility in Congress, on the streets, on the Internet, with the number of Facebook and Twitter threats has been over the top.
Republicans continue to add to their current list of “talking points” which do nothing but stir up the ignorant followers of people who still think the earth is flat. We've heard time and time again phrases such as “start over” “start with a clean sheet of paper” “government controlled health care” “death panels” “higher taxes for everyone” now we add the neo-cons flagrant use of the phrase that they speak for all “Americans” when in fact it's a total lie!
The use of violent threats and encouraging violent responses from these low information vigilantes will bring about more domestic terrorism. We've already seen offices of Democratic headquarters in a few locations being vandalized. We saw the reactions of select individuals at members of Congress on Sunday. We've all heard the dangerous insightful rants of members of Congress, such as Michelle Bachman and others like Sarah Palin. Even Palin's website is using language which could easily be interpreted as encouraging violence.
Now John McCain is admitting that he is going to occupy a seat in congress do nothing through the end of the year! Frankly, I don't think that the citizens of Arizona are paying him to do nothing. In fact, the Republicans have not done their job since President Obama was elected. They have offered nothing...other than repeating the mantra “start over” “start with a clean sheet of paper”, etc..
Keep in mind John McCain ran with the campaign slogan, “Country First.” Now, he just appears to be a bitter old man and an incredibly poor loser. The majority of voters voted for change. The Democrats won, the Republicans lost. We're finding out just how classless the Republican party has become. This is not the Republican party of Dwight D. Eisenhower or even Barry Goldwater.
It should be obvious by now to everyone, the goal of the neo-cons was to shut down government after the Republican loss to the Democrats last year. Mitch McConnell has admitted that. That's why the Senate is completely stalled. There's over 200 bills, which were voted on and approved by the House and still sit in the Senate which have not been voted on. There are still many jobs left unfilled in various government capacities which are going vacant, simply because of a few Republican Senators who have chosen to do nothing.
The Republicans say they want smaller less expensive government. If they're not going to legitimately legislate then they should all resign to reduce the size of government, or at least turn their paychecks back....and let's not forget, they should turn down their “government run health care” insurance as well.
This aside, the thing that scares me are the large numbers of potentially violent, low information people out there who fall for the misinformation, lies and fabrications that have been repeated over and over again by the right wing talkers....and certain members of Congress. This has gone beyond just health care. These are people who believe that our President is a Socialist, a Muslim and even “the anti-Christ.” It's the leaders of the Republican party in Congress who have the responsibility to denounce the people who are stirring up the emotions of these easily swayed people who feel threatened by their own government. So far, they haven't. They should all be held responsible for every threat or act of domestic terrorism done in their behalf. Just like Joseph McCarthy was exposed as the liar he was, these contemporary leaders will be exposed as well. Then maybe we'll get back to just being civil.
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