Sure corporate interests feed this Teabagger thing, maybe even bus people in. But who are the people showing up? Are they evil? Or just ignorant? We've seen them shouting down legitimate debate, going against all of the things we would call American, often in the name of patriotism.
I've watched them shout, watched what was obviously real anger, and wondered who they are.
So today I saw a telephone number for an organizer of Teabagger anti-health care reform meetings here in Arizona and gave her a call.
Results below the fold.
"Hi. Are you organizing the protests this weekend?"
"Yes."
"Oh, hi. Are we supposed to make our own signs?"
"Yes. Say anything you want."
"Oh, great. Well, are we for single-payer or a strong public option?"
"Ha. Well, I'm pretty much against it all."
"Oh, yeah? Why?"
"Do you want the government getting mixed up in health care?"
"Well, they've done pretty well with Medicare."
"You can say that, but I don't want to argue with you."
"I don't want to argue, either, just talk. But you don't want to give up your Medicare, do you?"
"I don't want to argue."
"Me neither. But are you happy about what the health insurance companies are doing to us?"
"How'd you get my number?"
"An email."
"Well, I don't want to argue. I'm in the middle of dinner."
"Oh. Sorry. Well, I'll call you back later."
"Ok."
That's it. What did I learn from this little exchange? She obviously isn't a just a Republican tool. She's obviously susceptible to Republican influence. She's slow. Maybe we can talk to them if it's not supper time.