In response to the article “Keep Protests Under Control”, I was surprised when I read that Mr. Rundle feels that in order to preserve liberty and democracy, people should not protest, at least in reference to health care, though he doesn’t specify what topics we should be allowed to disagree with. This brings to mind a rather famous American protest that happened a few years ago that has become known as the Boston Tea Party. From the beginning, our government has been founded on a basis of free speech and protesting is one of the best ways to exercise that. Mr. Rundle goes on to say that “An unscrupulous Congress member could easily manipulate such a town hall into nothing more than a echo box of their support” in reference to the “telephone town hall” ideas being proposed. Well I am sorry to say that is already occurring. The meeting I attended several weeks ago, a traditional town hall meeting, which in addition to a senator promoting the bill, had a panel of “experts” on the issue that to a person agreed that the universal health bill was a good thing. Mr. Rundle, you cannot have a debate when everybody you invite agrees with you. Regardless of your opinions about whether or not these protests are “distasteful” they have shown that the American people are not sold on the health care bill.

– James Gilman