A New Low for Divisive Poison Politics

I'm not sure how many of you watched the Presidents speech to Congress last night but if you did you saw a public demonstration of how divisive U.S. politics have become. Of course I am referring to the outburst by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina's 2d district. When I was a younger man, members of Congress discussed their differences over a drink, public debates centered on fundamental differences in beliefs about the role of government. Opponents agreed to disagree and worked hard to convince voters that their philosophy was the best hope for the stability of the country. We were all proud of our President, whether we voted for him or not, because he represented America. Even those who might have been aware of a Presidents shortcomings did not openly discuss them. Over time, politics became less gentlemanly with attack ads, name calling, and heated (and occasionally unprofessional) debate. Still for the most part the seasoned political operators refrained from making a spectacle of themselves. If you didn't agree with what the President said in a joint session of Congress you just didn't clap. You registered your disagreement publicly by remaining stoic and unimpressed even when those across the aisle stood and clapped. In the early 1990s the protocol changed. Bill Clinton was heckled by republicans during at least three of his State of The Union addresses, first in 1993 when he cited CBO statistics on the deficit. George Bush was booed by democrats in 2005 when he claimed that Social Security would be "exhausted and bankrupt" in 2042. Last night Mr Wilson moved to a new low when he shouted "You lie!" in response to President Obama's statement that health reform would not insure illegal immigrants. I'm not sure what Mr. Wilson was thinking that drove him to his irrational outburst but it was pretty sad. Since the PolitiFact organization has determined that Mr. Wilson was dead wrong I can only assume that he thought it would show strength??? to the voters back home, or he has fallen victim the the mindless argument that all Democrats are evil. Whatever the reason, I am sorry it happened. I fro one prefer the days of the thoughtful respectful politician. You can review the PolitiFact opinion at their website.