Sit Down and Shut Up

Rick  Santorum has an advertisement that juxtaposes pictures of the president of the United States and the President of Iran as a narrator says “sworn American enemy. “  Mitt Romney says that President Obama is leading an “assault on freedom.”  On his Facebook page, Marine Seargeant Gary Stein said that President Obama is "the 'Domestic Enemy' our oath speaks about."  Andy Martin says “I am ashamed to be an American; Barry Obama is a traitor.”  One blogger who calls himself a rat said that Obama isn’t “anti-American” just “un-American.”   Now, what do all these folks have in common other than that they are not even remotely qualified to be President?  What they have in common is that they are portraying the President as un-American … as a traitor … as the enemy.  What they have in common is intellectual laziness, no real interest in solving problems, and a low opinion of the intelligence of the American people.  Don’t agree with me?  Well, then you’re evil.  It’s an awesomely productive approach that solves every problem.  I mean, clearly the founding fathers meant to attach an ideological test to citizenship.  Clearly trying to peacefully solve problems, admit mistakes, and provide health care to all Americans is un-American. 

Look, here is the bottom line.  You don’t have to agree with a single thing that President Obama has done while in office.  I’d love a chance to convince you that he’s done a pretty good job, but I am more than happy to accept and respect disagreement … especially where it is supported with logic.  There is plenty of room for disagreement on most of these issues.  There is not, however, room for any less than a complete acceptance that the President is trying to do what he thinks is best for the country or that his actions as President make him any less an American than anybody else.  There is no room for framing people who disagree with you as “un-American,” “anti-American,” opposed to freedom, or any other such hogwash.    I am an American.  My opposition to your ideas can’t be dismissed a s a product of my evil nature or my traitorous ways.  It has to be addressed with logic and reason.   If you can’t do that, sit down and shut up.