Liberals call them angry mobs and paid operatives. Conservatives call them fed-up Americans and everyday patriots. We call them debaters on a hotly contested issue in the heat of the summer. And we better continue calling it "American" if we want to uplift our nation the right way.If you think we've entered the dog days of summer, stay tuned to the town hall discussions on the health care debate.
Once again, we are seeing evidence that the unity the 2008 election was supposed to inspire has not come to fruition. I know that many will say the Republicans are out there planting operatives to feed the heated debate. In fact, such actions have led some Americans – including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi – to call the protest "un-American."...
President Obama Pictures
A Uighur protester wears a rubber mask of President Barack Obama during a demonstration in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, July 12, 2009. The demonstration in downtown Tokyo Sunday ended peacefully with Japanese protesters calling on China to end the violence in Xinjiang, where at least 184 people have died in rioting. Those demonstrators waved blue flags with white crescents representing what they call "East Turkestan," their name for the region from where they come. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
AP
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama return to Washington with their daughters Malia (L) and Sasha off Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base July 12, 2009, following their visit to Russia, Italy and Ghana. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES POLITICS)
Reuters
US President Barack Obama, alongside daughter Malia descends the steps of Air Force One after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, July 12, 2009. Obama returned from a week long trip abroad that included stops in Russia, Italy and Ghana. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama, alongside First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia descend the steps of Air Force One after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, July 12, 2009. Obama returned from a week long trip abroad that included stops in Russia, Italy and Ghana. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama, second right, first lady Michelle Obama, second left, and their daughters Malia , left, and Sasha, right, arrive at the White House from Ghana, early Sunday, July 12, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP
President Barack Obama walks down the stairs with his daughters Malia, Sasha and firts lady Michelle Obama from Air Force One upon their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Sunday July 12, 2009, returning from their trip to Europe and Africa.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
AP
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave before boarding Air Force One after they participated in a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana, Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP
WASHINGTON - JULY 12: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (L), First Lady Michelle Obama (R) and daughters Sasha (2ndL) and Malia (2ndR) exit Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House July 12, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama and the first family returned home to the White House in the early morning after a trip overseas to Russia, Europe, Africa and a G-8 meeting. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski-Pool/Getty Images)
Getty Images
President Barack Obama greets audience members as he participate in a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana, Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP
President Barack Obama greets the crowd at a departure ceremony at the airport in Accra, Ghana, Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP
The move to raise the 2006 federal budget by a Republican-led Congress was criticized by Pelosi because Washington was red with Republicans, not dominated with Democrats as it is now. Yet, the exuberant approach that Democrats have toward spending with proposals and events, including "Cash for Clunkers," the stimulus package, the auto bailout and the proposed universal health care plan has been considered necessary and patriotic.
That, of course, sidesteps the issue of heavy debt to other countries that do not share our political and human rights philosophies.
This un-American criticism was also attached to issues such as off-shore drilling (to blend our energy resources instead of relying exclusively on oil imports until green technology is viable).
What is striking to me are not the approaches to the protests that each political side takes. Americans must be able to debate fully and freely for to elicit the best solutions for a growing country. What gets me is that the country is focusing on calling the protests at town hall meetings "un-American" while overlooking the Obama program to "flag suspicious behavior" at these town hall meetings.
Un-American is not debating, yelling or screaming. It was not under the Bush administration, and it should not be under the Obama administration. The increasing control of the federal government on the daily moves of people, the economy, and the media, however, are.
The issue of national health care should not be dominated by politicians in Washington but by their employers: the American voting public. The issue of national health care should not be dominated by the overseeing eye of the White House but by concerned citizens on both sides of the issue. Anything less is un-American and clearly unhealthy for the nation.
____________________
Lenny McAllister is a political commentator who has been featured on CNN, CNN.com/live, XM Radio's 'The Power Table' and Fox Charlotte's 'FOX News Rising'. His book, 'Diary of a Mad Black PYC (Proud Young Conservative),' is available now. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook and at LennyMcAllister.com, where his weekly video commentary can be found.
Comments: (9)
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By: Poison on 8/12/2009 6:57PM
Where were these do called fed up americans when Bush was running America in the ground from all sides? Where were they when Bush was doing anythign he wanted to do regardless of how it affected America or americans? Is fed-up code for racism?
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By: Rhonda on 8/13/2009 10:47AM
Let's not forget in 2006, the dems took over the house and the senate. From 2006 to 2008 Bush was doing the Democrats bidding.
So ya where were the protesters then.
Bussing peeps to cause trouble is also un-american
proof here>>>>>>http://www.wmur.com/video/20358253/index.html
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By: Angela on 8/12/2009 8:37PM
Debate is the most American part of the process. Shouting one another down is not. Health insurance reform is a much needed policy in the US. If Republicans would come to the table with a better idea, then there would be something to debate. Conservative talk show hosts (aka really loud white guys) are great at spewing hatred and feeding fear. They are almost single-handedly destroying the country they so loudly profess to love.
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By: Rhonda on 8/13/2009 11:47AM
Republicans would come on board, if there was a FAIR PLAN for all & if Obama knew how to pay for it.
Our government officials have the best medical coverage in the world.
The plan they have should be the UNIVERSAL PLAN.
You and I are worthy of the same coverage Obama has, and nothing less!!!!!!!!!1
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By: Andrew on 8/12/2009 8:04PM
C'MON R-I-S-E UP!
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By: Tadum on 8/12/2009 9:04PM
There's something to be said about these piggish insurance companies & their lobbyists. They don't want change, they figured they'll get the dumb nuts riled up & release on to the wild (i.e. town halls)! These nuts are too stupid to comprehend anything, so they believe whatever demagogues tell them.
Obama’s next task should be EDUCATION. As evident little education is very dangerous. If these people knew jack, they would have read & understand what's up & not rely on dim wits like palin, & limbaugh to translate for them.
Lord, have mercy!
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By: RHONDA on 8/13/2009 10:53AM
Republicans would come on board, if there was a FAIR PLAN for all & if Obama knew how to pay for it.
Our government officials have the best medical coverage in the world.
The plan they have should be the UNIVERSAL PLAN!!!!
You and I are worthy of the same coverage Obama has, and nothing less!!!!!!!!!1
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By: CJ on 9/04/2009 7:55PM
Did we have the same plan President Bush had?
And forgive me if I'm wrong didn't he say you can keep your own plan. Where were the town hall people durning the bail out, People losing homes, cars families where the he)) were you then. credit card companies ripping us off every day were's the up roar about that! the bail out was the biggest welfare fraud in history why no town meeting with people screaming from the top of their lungs.
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