Why can't I disagree?

I created this blog a few weeks ago and have refrained from posting anything because, well, I didn't want to just rant on about things until I had a clear (or somewhat) mind. After watching this fiasco surrounding the passage of the Senate Health Care bill I truly believe if I stay silent much longer I'm going to violently explode.

I know there are problems in the current Health Care system. I understand that. I also know that the Government is going to do all it can to turn Health Care in this country into another Shining (think Stephen King here) example of a Government Run operation just like the Postal Service, Amtrak and Medicare.

What I don't understand is why am I not allowed to disagree with what the government is doing? I mean just yesterday Democratic Senator Whitehouse proclaimed that anyone who disagreed with Health care reform was accused of "being birthers and fanatics in right-wing militia and Aryan support groups"! I'm actually quite offended that an elected official would go on the record making such inflammatory statements such as these especially since I consider myself to be somewhat middle of the road politically (however I do lean a bit more to the right) but I too am opposed to this reform bill. Why I am opposed to it is not the issue here. The fact that I, as an American, have a right to oppose what my government is doing and have the right to express my opinions popular or otherwise. Modern Democrats don't believe you have the right to oppose, debate or disagree with the government at all and will tell you that dissent is bad for the country. However I do recall a speech made by Hillary Clinton during her campaign when she said this:



So am I to believe that dissent is only good if it is aimed at a Republican administration? Sure sounds like it to me! Dems won't even debate me in an open forum without turning to personal attacks or spin.

There is nothing wrong with honest and open debate. There is nothing wrong with people having differing opinions and, this is the most important, WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE!