Arrogance: Hoyer, Pelosi Call Protests Against ObamaCare “un-American”

I’ve seen politicians say more than a few amazingly stupid things in my time but this really takes the cake… For House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to take to the pages of a major American newspaper and call those who disagree with them un-American is beyond the pale:

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. These tactics have included hanging in effigy one Democratic member of Congress in Maryland and protesters holding a sign displaying a tombstone with the name of another congressman in Texas, where protesters also shouted “Just say no!” drowning out those who wanted to hold a substantive discussion.

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.

Health care is complex. It touches every American life. It drives our economy. People must be allowed to learn the facts.

That type of rhetoric is as inappropriate and misplaced now as it was when some on the right used it against those who opposed the war in Iraq. It has no place in mainstream political discourse and for the Speaker of the House and House Majority Leader to resort to it raises serious question about their qualifications for the positions they hold.

Hillary Clinton was right when she passionately declared :

“I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration somehow you’re not patriotic. We should stand up and say we are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration.”

Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer would do well to re-read the first amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Americans had every right to question and disagree with the Bush Administration just as we have every right to question and disagree the Obama Administration… For national political leaders to question the patriotism and/or motives of those who passionately disagree with them makes it undeniably clear that they are not interested in debate.

H/T: Cuffy Meigs via Hot Air.

Related

• Boehner Slams Pelosi’s “Un-American” Op-ed – Weekly Standard
• Uh oh: Even Liberals in Massachusetts having a Hard Time at Town Halls – Wizbang