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ARE THE HEALTH CARE PROTESTORS "UN-AMERICAN"?
In a word, no. As much as I can understand the liberal impulse to paint Republicans as disloyal after eight years of the right accusing anyone who didn't want to sign onto whatever war or violation of American civil liberties the GOP was pushing, I just think it's wrong. I think it's a real problem when admission to political debate is predicated on someone proving their patriotism, and I think arguments about policy should remain arguments about policy, and not whether the individual in question has proven they're "American" enough to be speaking.
That however, doesn't excuse the people opposed to health care reform who have been deliberately shutting down debate in townhalls through yelling or intimidation, or simply making things up in order to paint the reform effort as some sort of sinister project reminiscent of Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy (Which, incidentally, isn't any better than calling someone "un-American.") Also, leave the hammers at home, plz.
Over the last eight years, I got really sick of the right using a narrowly defined understanding of patriotism to define the parameters of political debate, and it's actually really frustrating to see some Democrats do the same thing. It doesn't have to be "un-American" to be dishonest or wrong. Or in some cases, just stupid. Liberals should be trying to remove this kind of McCarthyite impulse from our political discourse, not legitimizing it. Besides, from a utilitarian point of view, liberals just aren't as good at it as conservatives are.
-- A. Serwer
COMMENTS (4)
There are 2 questions here. First, is the charge true? And second, is it appropriate to make it, even if it is? Serwer is persuasive that the answer to #2 is 'no.' But as I understand the charge, it's that the anti-reform shouters are trying to shut down reasonable deliberation, & that that violates some sort of democratic principle that, in addition to being right, is American. This could be wrong in a lot of ways, but Serwer doesn't make the case. It could be that this is one of those true things that it's better not to say.
Posted by: K | August 10, 2009 4:47 PM
There's a fine distinction you are missing, and the rightwingers, who are always eager to take outrage, are deliberately ignoring. It is that Pelosi called the protestor's actions attempting to shut down the town halls "un-American", not the protestors themselves. I agree with her in this.
Posted by: Jon | August 11, 2009 9:16 AM
wonderfully said, thank you.
Posted by: Jlvngstn | August 11, 2009 11:23 AM
wonderfully said, thank you.
Posted by: Jlvngstn | August 11, 2009 11:23 AM