Scott writes for Examiner.com. Read all his articles at http://www.examiner.com/...
Activists have been showing up at Democratic town hall meetings in ever increasing numbers. Their mission, to oppose healthcare and clean energy reform. They've been loud, disruptive, and challenging to any Democrat speaker who may have the floor, and even attacking moderate Republicans(1).
Proudly American, right?
Maybe, if these people hadn't been organized by lobbyists(2).
A leaked memo(3) from Bob MacGuffie, a volunteer for the lobbyist-run organization FreedomWorks(4), shows clearly that they, along with similar groups like Americans for Prosperity(5), have systematically invaded(6) local town hall meetings in an effort to invent the appearance of mass opposition to certain Democratic reform agendas.
A few eye-opening statements from the memo are:
- Artificially Inflate Your Numbers:
"Spread out in the hall and try to be in the front half. The objective is to put the Rep on the defensive with your questions and follow-up. The Rep should be made to feel that a majority, and if not, a significant portion of at least the audience, opposes the socialist agenda of Washington."
- Be Disruptive Early and Often:
"You need to rock the boat early in the Rep's presentation. Watch for an opportunity to yell out and challenge the Rep's statements early."
- Try to "Rattle Him," Not Have an Intelligent Debate:
"The goal is to rattle him, get him off his prepared script and agenda. If he says something outrageous, stand up and shout out and sit right back down. Look for these opportunities before he even takes questions."
This is not dissent. This is not activism. This is despicable behavior by lobbyists too cowardly to do their own dirty work. These are organizations, spouting the loudest patriotic rhetoric, displaying the worst kind of deception. They are, in fact, using the American people to advance their own special interests.
Is it illegal? Certainly not. Is it moral? Certainly not. It's the new form of protest. Protest with a sponsor.
"Today's protest is brought to you by a generous grant from the Chubb Group."
It is yet another reason to believe the America as we (want to) know it (at least in our wildest dreams) is officially over.
(1) http://thinkprogress.org/...
(2) http://politics.theatlantic.com/...
(3)http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/townhallactionmemo.pdf
(4)http://www.freedomworks.org/
(5)http://www.americansforprosperity.org/
(6)http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25646.html