Violence is the wrong reaction to health bill
By Staff
Scot Beard
Columnist
On March 21 the United States House of Representatives angered millions of Americans by passing the controversial health care reform bill by a vote of 219-212.
The bill, which had been the subject of heated debate for more than a year, barely limped through the House and anger would have been inevitable whether it passed or failed.
Unfortunately, some people reacted with acts of violence or threats of violence to members of Congress.
Bricks were thrown through windows at district offices and police in Pennsylvania arrested a man over the weekend for threatening to kill Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia — he is the second highest Republican in the House.
There are many aspects of the legislation that should anger Americans — no matter if they are Republicans or Democrats — but acts of violence are not the answer.
About 46 years ago Congress passed legislation that was also highly unpopular — The Civil Rights Act of 1964.
While health care reform and civil rights are different issues, they were both divided the country.
The difference here is that the acts of violence, such as the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, came before the legislation was enacted.
The violence cost countless lives, and ultimately was unsuccessful in stopping the legislation.
Worse, it left a wound on Alabama and other southern states that has been slow to heal and has not been forgotten to this day.
America does not need a similar wound in 2010 when there are so many other problems needing attention.
Fortunately there have not been any deaths yet related to the health care legislation, and hopefully there won’t be. Dissatisfaction should be shown at the voting booth, not at the end of a gun.
Acts of violence only makes the opposition seem desperate and hurts the cause more often than it helps.
Too many people died leading up to the legislation of 1964, if one person dies as the result of the legislation of 2010 it will be one too many.
Make your anger known with your brain at the voting booth, not with your muscle at your congressman’s house.
