"The Land of The Free and The Home of The Brave" has been swept with hysteria, but not due to terrorist attacks. People are terrified that Americans may be given the opportunity to choose a medical insurance similar to Medicare or to keep the insurance they have now. They are so frightened by this prospect, they label folks who think Medicare is OK as Nazis.
Frank Crosby, Morgan Hill
Health care debate shows the true nature of politics
Dear Editor,
It is encouraging to see that supporters of Congressman Jerry McNerney are feeling desperate enough that they've had to resort to name-calling in response to legitimate concerns with his performance as our representative.
When McNerney came to our district in March, most of those who attended were expecting a town-hall type meeting, and were disappointed to find that he would not speak to the group as a whole, but instead would respond one-on-one to constituent's questions, without sharing those concerns with the group. How unfortunate, as many could have learned more about what is going on in the district. McNerney could have changed the format, yet he chose not to. It is telling when one of the staffers speaks more to the group as a whole than the Congressman.
I found it interesting when I walked into BookSmart late yesterday afternoon (Monday Aug. 31) and saw McNerney meeting with constituents. It is interesting, because two of them were letter writers to the Morgan Hill Times, calling those who come to town hall meetings "Nazis" and "tea baggers," both thoroughly disgusting names meant to insult and shut down the opinions of others. Were those, including myself, who came to the meeting in March "Nazis" or waving swastikas? Obviously no, and I'm sure members of both my Jewish family and synagogue would agree.
I guess in Swanee Edwards' eyes, it's OK for name calling if it's against your opponent, as McNerney supporters and staff did toward challenger Dean Andal after the debate in Tracy last October, or against myself, when she said in the South County Democratic Newsletter after my election that "Lee did not win on her sunny personality!" Someone said politics is a combat sport. I certainly don't condone it, but realize that it's part of the landscape.
I hope other constituents get the same opportunity to meet with McNerney as Edwards and Marty Cheek got, but I have a feeling it's only if you resort to name calling and attacks on people who don't agree with you.
Marby Lee, Morgan Hill
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