At the Austin event Aug. 1 with Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett (pictured
here, see video), the usual suspects showed up shouting "Just Say No" and waving signs that included the usual symbols of communism and fascism worked into statements against "socialized" health care, in addition to an image of Doggett as Satan. The protestors' continued shouting throughout the event was clearly an effort to disrupt it and to prevent any other voices being heard. The same was the case at an Aug. 2 event in Philadelphia with Republican-turned-Democratic Senator Arlen Specter and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (see video). Here, wingnuts with bumber stickers on their heads shouted down speakers to the clear annoyance of others around them trying to listen. One woman held up a copy of the New American Bible and said, "This is the only truth," as though that were somehow an argument against health care reform.
My own initial opinion is that the disruptions will rebound somewhat against conservatives and work to the advantage of President Obama in his efforts to pass health care reform.
However, the full significance of the disruptions goes beyond health care. What's happened is that the "near fringe" of teabaggers, Ayn Randers, libertarians, neo-secessionists, and racists has figured out a way to be a real force in national politics.
Ultimately, that makes the disruptions more important than the townhalls.
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The “teabaggers, the racists, et.al are growing both in numbers and in shrillness. These people are becoming a threat to national security. Not so much for their current activities but for whatever comes next. They are fanatical in their hatred of their fellow citizens and our national leadership. Worse, they’ve imposed a herd mentality on their leaders so none dare stray far enough to think on their own.
What’s next?
In considering the possible escalation of this phenomenon no good can come of it. These people are followers of relics who STILL try to peddle “trickle-down” economics, scorn for government, champions of lower taxes on wealthy people. They are oblivious to the crisis’ in the U.S..
They do not care that we are in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. They have no problem with ignoring the fact that our education system is starved for funding. They don’t believe public schools should exist at all. They are very comfortable with the fact that over 2 million jobs were lost last year. They have no sympathy for the millions of people who lost (or may still lose) their homes. Repairing the damage of the Bush-Cheney-Rove-all republican government will not be easy. All these challenges cost money. Money the GOP leadership would much rather hand over to upper-class donors than to real national priorities. That is why they dispatch professional agitators to disrupt events where Democratic leaders are answering questions.
Bottom line, so far they’ve remained within the boundaries of their First Amendment right to speak. What frightens me is the prospect of these people crossing into the mainstream. If they are already have influence within the GOP, they could become very dangerous. Not politically dangerous but literally, physically threatening to our national security.
I hope I’m wrong. One civil war in the lifetime of any nation is enough! We do not need another but these people seem to be courting the idea.
As I said, I hope I’m wrong.
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