Thank you, Peggy Noonan, for telling it like it is.

Noonan's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, 'You Are Terrifying Us,' is the clarion call that we are in trouble as a nation, not because of our economic woes, but because we have lost our objectivity around what it means to be a nation that is governed by the people, for the people. When dissenting voices in a national debate are meant to look like the enemy, we usually think of Capitol Hill rhetoric. When this happens in a town hall held by your local congressman, we all should be worried. Photo by Editor B

Difficult problems, like health care, can be worked through when there is honest discussion and when all the voices at the table are heard. It's not easy, but there's a chance of a reasonable solution. It's no different than the fight you might have had with your spouse last month or a disagreement at the office. More dangerous and harmful is when one side decides that they are right, period. And then decides to defame or call into question the legitimacy of the opposition.

It's no way for the President of the United States, or all the President's men, to behave. But that's what we have. (BTW–Longtime readers of this blog know that I don't discuss my political views here. This posting is about freedom of speech, not an expression of my politics.)

One of the most shocking things I've seen in a long time came from Noonan's op-ed:

"….most damagingly to political civility, and even our political tradition, was the new White House email address to which citizens are asked to report instances of "disinformation" in the health care debate: If you receive an email or see something on the Web about healthcare reform that seems "fishy," you can send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

This is no joke. I wish it was. 

As a voter, I'm insulted that someone in the political system would
think this tactic of intimidation and painting the opposition at town halls
as agents for large organizations would work.  Do they really think people
are dumb sheep, believing a charge that goes against common sense? Photo by Duchamp

Every side in a debate will color their argument to persuade others. That's not disinformation. That's freedom of speech.

The disrespect for the common citizen is amazing. Noonan sums it up nicely. Referring to the charge that people showing up at town halls were sent by insurance companies, lobbyists, and the Republican National Committee, she states,

"….you can't get people to leave their homes and go to a meeting with a congressman (of all people) unless they are engaged to the point of passion….People are not automatons. They show up only if they care."

Show up. Care. As a nation, we all have a lot at stake.

PS. One of many YouTube videos of town halls being held around the country by members of Congress:

Take the time to do your own research. Go to YouTube and search on "town hall, health care."  You'll see a number of videos uploaded in the last week, showing what people are saying and the passion that they have for their voices to be heard.