Republicans have a distinct advantage over Democrats in media messaging. They own the radio waves, Fox News and most corporations.
Progressives battle back by showing up at the polls. That is our voice. We don't have Rush and Glenn Beck on every radio station between Sacrmento CA and Newark NJ.
Because of this, we are at a serious strategic disadvantage in how we control our message. Unfortunately the Town Hall meetings have allowed the minority anti-health care reform people to have a much, much bigger voice than they would have. Granted, shouting nonsense and inane comments isn't much of a voice, but for the sensationalistic news media, red faced white people pounding fists and breathing heavily will get coverage.
These people do not understand what an open forum is. There is no discussion or back and forth. It's just a simple sabotage, a disruption.
The disruptions are giving some Americans the impression that there is some great resistance to health care reform which couldn't be further from the truth. These small, compartmentalized town hall meetings allow the few to disrupt the many. And through the coprorate media filter, their whack job tlaking points find fertile soil. We are handing a bull horn to the Birthers. Why?
Quite simply, it's time to end the Town Hall Health Care meetings. Instead, last minute press conferences should be given with invited guests, specifically those who have been traumatized by the poor health system in this country. Here, their stories will be heard in their clarity. Press releases will be made during and after the event. We will hear the stories of those specifically affected by lack of insurance or insurance profiteering. Mass internt emailings of all of the stories from locals affected by this should take place. In these realms we can control the message. We can create ads with a clear message. We can repeat that message unfettered. The Town Hall Meetings, while well intentioned are an anchor stuck on a reef, with the possibility of a storm brewing in which we could take on water. They may work for the Iraq war, but they don't work when corporations are pumping millions into disruption and distortion.
Some would say that ending the meetings is victory for the other side. I would respond that it's a loss for them. Other than right wing talk radio and Fox, it's the only way they have effectively gotten their message across. We would simply take away their little toy, and the little doggies won't have a place to bark anymore. Call it lack of democracy, or "unfair" if you will. However, sick people who have been turned away from greedy insurance companies is a far worse case of "unfairness". The cancellation of the meetings will have legs for a couple days, and then everything will fade into the end of summer as it always does, and we can start the debate again when congress reconvenes.
Bush was one of the worst presidents of all time. But he knew that if he wanted to pass legislation, he shouldn't give the other side a bullhorn.