Speak Boldly, Stand Firmly
“You lie.”
These two words, spoken by Joe Wilson, R-SC, on national television, during the recent joint session of Congress called by President Obama to address growing concerns over healthcare reform seem to have ignited the news machines to action. Now, do I think it was proper for him to state that during an open session, to the President of the United States? No, I do not. While I disagree with President Obama on many issues, as a Soldier I understand the need to respect people due to their position. He is still the duly elected President of this fine country. Respect that. Do I think that perhaps he could have found a better venue in which to state his ill regard for President Obama’s stance and statements? Yes, he could have easily released a statement at a later date that said exactly that or something more verbose and engaging. Do I think he could have phrased his dissent in a more eloquent fashion, filling it with double entendre and coy jabs at Obama? Yes, of course. As a member of our Congress, I would hope that he is perfectly capable of delivering a rousing and eloquent rebuttal to a point that is counter to his beliefs. So why, oh why, am I making my first blog post about Representative Joe Wilson, Republican from South Carolina? I am writing about him because he spoke boldly and in his own way, stood firmly for his beliefs.
He has since apologized for the lack of civility his statement was conveyed with, yet he did not apologize for the statement’s content. He further elaborated upon it. He was the most vocal opponent, yet he was not the only one who expressed displeasure with the President’s Health Care Reform statements. Rep Louie Gohmert (R-TX) held up signs asking, “Why Bill?” and “What Plan?” These politicians were doing what I require. They were standing up for beliefs which I cherish by expressing a lack of belief in portions of the Obama Healthcare Reform Bill and its presentations. In the white noise that has become rank and file of liberal media and leftist attack strategy, sometimes one must be bold to break out of the white noise. Far too often when speaking with proponents of Obama care or the stimulus package and asking them questions, I get superficial answers on why I should support it.
“Don’t you want everyone to have healthcare?”
Why, yes, that is a wonderful goal and I would love to work towards such a goal, but “HOW” is important as well. How are you going to implement such far reaching change? Does it involve even more government involvement and bloating? If so, we need to find another way. How are you going to pay for it? Don’t give me idyllic fields and mythical efficiency cuts. Show me numbers. I want to see it.
If you see a problem, your view of reality and how it should be doesn’t mesh with how it truly is; question why. This method works whether you are liberal, moderate or conservative. If your expectations are realistic then move to change the world through speaking boldly, drawing people to your cause through intellectual discourse, but before you can begin that intellectual discourse, they need to hear you. Speak BOLDLY! Let them hear your dissatisfaction with the current version of reality.
Now, as you speak up, you will draw proponents and most assuredly, opponents to your view. Don’t fear the tests of debate. Don’t apologize for your views. Stand firmly in your views. If you support a particular value and that is a guiding factor, don’t change just to acquiesce to the crowd or to appease the politically correct crowd. Values based debate is necessary to ground you and guide you in a direction that you will find pleasing. While compromise has been a factor in the success of government; I do not think compromise on values is a good place to begin those inroads. Trust yourself to know what is morally abhorrent. Your desire for a fully explained healthcare plan is not barbaric, it is reasonable.
As you travel through life, remember,
“Speak Boldly”
-Jeremy Brown
I am rather dismayed this is the point of contention the news media wishes to focus on, rather than the real meat, or lack thereof, inherent in what was actually offered during President Obama’s remarks. The president merely reiterated points he’s been making for weeks, after all; he didn’t truly offer up anything new, no real clarification at all, nothing to soothe the real concerns and problems that people have been proffering. Dismissing the lot of them as “lies” only to turn around and decry the one who says “You lie” seems, to me, a bit nonsensical. Really draws attention away from the lack of substance to the whole of your remarks. But then. That’s also the only reason I’m disappointed with Representative Wilson, too. He offered them something to latch onto and wail over, rather than leaving them to suffer the weight of public scepticism.
While it is true that he left the mainstream media and floundering liberals a “floatie” to grab onto with his comments, I think he unintentionally brought to light the double standard of many on that side of the issue. In 2005, when they booed then POTUS Bush, we told them it was inappropriate. They seem to have forgotten this incident and latched on to what they see as the unimaginable acts of a single person; yet they forget the actions of their own so few years ago. Many of them were in those same seats many years ago.