The Tolbert Report

Chase Dugger, political director for the Republican Party of Arkansas, sent the following letter to Mariah Hatta, executive director of the Democratic Party of Arkansas regarding some comments she and members of her party made regarding the protesters at the health care forums.
 

I am concerned by your Party’s current interest in attacking those who disagree with your liberal agenda. It seems that all sense of democracy and free speech has been forgotten.

The Democratic Party has described concerned Americans as “angry” and “rabid.” You personally called them “extremist.” Worse yet, Sen. Lincoln went as far as to call them “un-American.”

Have you even stopped for one second to think maybe these citizens are concerned about the direction our country is headed? Maybe they truly think the current healthcare proposal is a bad idea? Maybe they feel our Washington delegation is ignoring their concerns? And you know what? Maybe, just maybe, they are right?

Unfortunately, you haven’t stopped to think about any of this. Instead you blast out statements and emails insulting Arkansans by calling them “the mob” and saying they are organized by out of state special interests.

I find this especially appalling due to the fact that the email you sent out today was similar to the email sent out by the national liberal special interest group Move On.org who is openly hiring people to attend these rallies.

Why can’t your party accept the fact that an overwhelming majority of Arkansans do not want the healthcare reform you are suggesting?

Nobody wants a plan that cost over one trillion dollars and still keeps millions uninsured. Nor do they want bureaucrats and politicians in charge of health decisions that should stay in the hands of families and doctors.

Everyone agrees that our healthcare system is in need of reform. But what Americans are looking for is common sense reform. Reform that controls cost, preserves quality, and keeps families in charge of health care decisions. Reform that makes healthcare affordable and accessible, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Reform that ends frivolous lawsuits and allows small business to join together to purchase quality health care benefits for their workers.

I would encourage you to stop wasting your time making your Party look bad by attacking concerned Arkansans. Instead, you should focus your energy on getting Democrat elected officials to work on a bi-partisan solution that is best for everyone.