During the Bush leadership of the Iraq war there was a constant debate about whether someone could disagree with the war but still support the troops. Invariably, those who thought they were able to separate these issues, when challenged, would fall back on some version of wrapping themselves in the flag and claiming that they were being called Un-American for protesting.
Of course we all remember how the Democrat’s responded to any notion that the Iraq protesters were Un-American. Perhaps the most publicized response was from Hillary Clinton herself, who told us that in fact is was patriotic to protest and American President.
In today’s USAToday oped, Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer call those who are protesting the health reform bill “Un-American!”
In their oped, the two Democrat herders (they aren’t leaders by any sense of the definition) go on to say:
However, it is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue.
Interesting, it looks more to me like members of Congress who are not knowledgeable or are knowingly lying about the bill and members of Congress who are not willing to hear a dissenting voice from their constituents.
Next, Pelosi and Hoyer pick up the new meme of the left:
These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades.
They then attempt to set the record straight on the “facts:”
The first fact is that health insurance reform will mean more patient choice. It will allow every American who likes his or her current plan to keep it. And it will free doctors and patients to make the health decisions that make the most sense, not the most profits for insurance companies.
Well, no it won’t. As has been documented by numerous sources, your ability to “keep your plan” will end at the time that you change your job, lose your job or if any change occurs to your existing plan.
Reform will mean stability and peace of mind for the middle class. Never again will medical bills drive Americans into bankruptcy; (it will just drive the entire country into bankruptcy) never again will Americans be in danger of losing coverage if they lose their jobs or if they become sick (at least until you get to a point where your future value to society isn’t greater than the cost of your treatment); never again will insurance companies be allowed to deny patients coverage because of pre-existing conditions (Yes, the all knowing government will now take that role. Just try to appeal one of their decisions.).
Italics mine
Further:
Our plan’s cost-lowering measures include a public health insurance option to bring competitive pressure to bear on rapidly consolidating private insurers.
Um, nope. The CBO says it won’t lower costs. The state plan in Massachusetts, which is the most comparable existing government run plan to the one being proposed, has in fact increased costs at a rate higher than the national average.
Aside from their “let them eat cake” attitude, it’s hard to understand how Pelosi and Stoyer think their oped helps their cause. With Obama’s poll numbers continuing to slide, Congress’ numbers hitting new lows, Pelosi polled as having the highest unfavorable rating of any Congressional leader and Rasmussen showing that a plurality of Americans support the protester’s efforts, the trend is clearly not their friend.
Calling common, everyday people “Un-American” seems to be a hail Mary pass in an attempt to stop the public relations slide. Given the credibility, or rather the lack of credibility that Pelosi and Hoyer have, I doubt it will help. In fact, I suspect it may have the opposite effect as common sense Americans will view it in the words of the Bard:
The lady doth protest too much!
Oh, one more thing, you may want to consider reporting the oped piece to flag@whitehouse.gov as fishy, misinformation about the health reform act. We want to make sure and keep the President informed!
