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In the health care debate, the shouters say they're shouting because they're scared. They're angry. And they want to make sure Democratic congressmen know how scared and angry they are.

They have points to make — points that should be heard. Congress needs to hear those objections and concerns from constituents about such a huge issue.

But there's an effective way to do it — with passion, but with respect and control. It's the best way to make an argument heard.

By shouting, interrupting and disrupting, they lose their impact. All that's heard is the volume, not the reason. And by being rude and disrespectful, they marginalize themselves. They're viewed as the unhinged people who communicate through shouting.

… Kagen and his congressional colleagues must listen to what their constituents are saying. It's not enough just to put on a few meetings and say you heard people.

But Kagen's constituency — those who voted for and against him — has a responsibility, too. Yes, we can discuss and debate with passion and anger. But, at some point, the volume, rudeness and disrespect for each other becomes overwhelming.

If the purpose of the shouting last week was to disrupt meetings and get nothing accomplished, then it was a success. But, friends, our nation needs a lot more than that.

And that goes without saying a thing. [Read the whole thing here.]

While the P-C did a great job of admonishing town-hall participants to pipe down, I found it interesting, the paper did not assign any responsibility for constituent frustration and anger to Rep. Kagen and other elected officials for their inept handling of constituent concerns about so-called health-care reform. Not exactly awe inspiring.

The P-C failed to point out that these people who purport to know how health care should be run failed to anticipate even the space requirements for town halls, forcing hundreds of constituents to be locked out.

The P-C failed to point out that when signing in, we were told to write down our questions on cards...which led to the distinct impression follow-up questions would not be allowed even if Rep. Kagen’s answer didn't satisfy the asker.

The P-C failed to point out Dr. Kagen failed to anticipate the extent of constituent concern and level of frustration and anger.

The P-C failed to point out that many constituents already have contacted Dr. Kagen and other elected officials numerous times on key issues and been met with pabulum-like form letters.

The P-C failed to mention no one who disagreed with this administration’s plans for reform was allowed to attend President Obama’s town hall meeting in Green Bay or to congregate anywhere close to the facility in which it was held.

The P-C failed to mention the months of fervent maligning of Tea Party participants by elected officials and the media.

When the P-C admonishes Dr. Kagen for calling town-hallers a “mob” or “shills for insurance companies,” then I’ll believe the P-C is doing its job.

When the P-C questions the good doctor on his Appleton town hall comment, ”your neighbors don’t want you to have health care”, then I’ll believe the P-C is doing its job.

When the P-C questions Rep. Kagen’s stating (in an August 5th WPR interview) “there are no downsides” to health-care reform, only then, will I believe the P-C is doing its job!

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