Health Debate Produces Angry Protests, Angry Retorts

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The Earth-scorching August firefight over health care has given rise to questions about the point at which stifling civil discussion damages the democratic process.

All across the country, conservative opponents are clamoring to disrupt town-hall meetings about the proposed overhaul of the nation’s health care system, using GOP-generated talking points to shout down Democratic congressmen who attempt to explain the plan. Click here for a free demo!

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The Constitution protects their right to speak freely, but Democrats say that they are limiting rather than promoting an open exchange of ideas.

Some experts on political organization say that despite the disruption of Democratic-run events – and divided public feelings on the health care overhaul – the shout-down strategy betrays an essential weakness on the Republican side, not a strength.

Nonetheless, the high-stakes battle has pressed allies of a president who built his narrative around his work as a community organizer into a campaign to delegitimize the organizers of the protests and their means of expression.

“Organized mobs across the country are intimidating lawmakers, disrupting events, and silencing discussions about the change our country needs,” one Obama campaign aide wrote in an e-mail to supporters in Michigan.

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August 7, 2009