I didn’t watch President Obama’s speech Wednesday night because I really don’t care what he had to say, just as I don’t care for what any politician has to say about anything.
But I later learned I missed out on the most exciting part of the speech when Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina shouted “You lie!” as Obama claimed his plan wouldn’t offer free healthcare to illegal immigrants.
The reaction from both sides of the political aisle was harsh, with mainstream media outlets reporting Wilson’s outburst as a “serious breach of decorum.”
That’s what Washington needs – a serious breach of decorum.
Maybe if politicians were exposed to the same scrutiny like sports figures are exposed to disapproving fans, perhaps that would shake them up and teach these clowns how to perform under pressure.
Democratic Senator Jim Clyburn, also of South Carolina, said Wilson “went beyond heckling.”
What’s the big deal here?
These are politicians we’re talking about, not respected members of society. By respected members of society I mean people like sports heroes and Santa Claus.
Sports fans know all too well that heckling players is common, even expected in some cities, like Philadelphia, where fans once tossed batteries at J.D. Drew and booed Santa Claus.
So when one idiot politician heckles another idiot politician – yes, even if that politician is the president – then I don’t see what the problem is.
Let’s say Obama had to give this speech outside the congressional cocoon and was made to stand at the 50-yard line inside Beaver Stadium, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
With 108,000 in the stands, the score tied and Obama down by a touchdown, do you think the fans would sit there quietly?
Hell no. It’s logical to think half of those in attendance would be opposed to what Obama had to say, voicing their displeasure like they would if the referees made a bad call.
Heckling is as American as apple pie, Chevrolet and tossing batteries at J.D. Drew. It’s not quite on the level of booing Santa Claus, unless you live in Philadelphia where anything goes.
Now more than ever as Republicans and Democrats go rumbling, bumbling and stumbling their way towards yet another abject failure, if any group of people in this country deserve to be heckled, it’s politicians.
This is our government and politicians work for us, or so I was told in civics class many years ago. Just like the players and teams we fans often heckle for their poor performance, politicians shouldn’t be insulated from their abysmal performance.
Here lately, there’s plenty to boo about. I’ll bet Santa Claus is glad the heat is off him at the moment.
Yeah, but…
I’m hoping we could expect more from an elected official than we would a drunken Phillies fan.
We have yet to have a serious discussion about improving the health care system in this country. Not in Congress, not in those pathetic town halls, not in the media, and not even amongst ourselves. The heckling is fine. But if “you lie” is the best the right-wing can come up with, especially when responding to something that wasn’t a lie…it serves as just another distraction from finding a solution.
At least when fans heckle, they have a purpose. At least throw a shoe or something.
Wait, you expect more from an elected official? Are you mad? You actually expect something from them other than what we’re getting?
I don’t see a healthy discussion over healthcare taking place until someone can articulate how they’re going to pay for it. Sure, Obama said something to the effect of cutting costs, but they could have done that for years now.
In the end, I really don’t give a shit. I’m a disabled vet, although I’ve had private health insurance for years now. If any plan involves a forced government option, I really see no difference between that and the medical services I’ve received at the VA hospitals.
That’s what most in this country don’t understand. It’s not about healthcare, it’s about insurance and access to healthcare. The care itself is fine, the access is the real issue. I can promise those who think a government plan would be great to visit a VA hospital and spend the day experiencing that world. I assure you by the end of the day, people will have a much different take on a government run plan.
[...] Fans toss batteries and boo Santa, why can’t we boo Obama? — (MoonDog) [...]