There has been a lot of heat put on Democrats defending or explaining their health care plans in town hall meetings across the country.

Some people have exhibited anger, indignation and, in some instances, disrespect for their elected members of Congress.

That's good old American political discourse.

Some people have held up signs suggesting Barack Obama is a Hitler. Others have showed up with guns at anti-Obama protests, and one demonstrator in Maryland even carried a sign calling for "Death to Obama," his wife and children. A swastika was painted on the sign in front of Rep. David Scott's office in Smyrna after a heated town hall meeting.

That definitely is not good old American political discourse.

Neither were comments made by Democrats such as Rep. Brian Baird of Washington who said protests against health care plans were "close to Brown Shirt tactics," i.e., Hitler storm trooper tactics. And remember U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - before the swastika appeared at Scott's office - claiming protesters were "carrying swastikas," when in reality they used the offensive symbol to warn against the kind of arrogance exhibited by Pelosi and other elitists running our government.

Regarding the incidents surrounding the health care issue, the Associated Press raised this question in a recent piece: "Are they simply the latest twists in a long tradition of vigorous, public engagement or evidence of some new, alarming brand of political virulence?"

Answer: They are the latest twists in our country's long and rocky road of political engagement.

Consider that when Thomas Jefferson ran for president in 1800, opponents called him virtually every ugly name in the book and more. The Connecticut Courant raved: "Murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will all be openly taught and practiced, the air will be rent with the cries of the distressed, the soil will be soaked with blood and the nation black with crimes."

What's happening now in the health care controversy is that many Americans are fed up with the way the ruling party is running things. People are trying to make their voices heard in the face of a stone wall by elitist Washington Democrats bent on "reforming" health care their way regardless of what constituents want or need.

Poll after poll shows most Americans do not want any of the Democrat plans. Most people like the coverage they have.

And they do not know what is actually in the bill or bills being promoted by the Democrats and President Obama. There are many questions about what any of the bills or proposals would do, and rightly so.

It comes down to trust.

Distrust of the federal government keeps growing in the wake of unbelievable tons of taxpayer money thrown into bailouts of the financial system and the "stimulus" program - which only 33 percent of Americans believe is working, while 40 percent say cutting the deficit should be the top priority (Rasmussen).

It's time for the politicians to listen to the people.

dmckee9613@aol.com