The health care reform debate has brought out the worst in many people, on both sides of the aisle. It has literally set the grass roots on fire and members of congress are in the cross hairs of these attacks. Georgia Congressman David Scott blew up during an appearance at a transportation town hall meeting last week in Douglasville when a health care question came up.

“And my advice and my suggestion is to calm down and take a deep breath,” Scott told the crowd as he fielded questions.

But the advice was short lived. “Don’t come and take advantage of what these individuals have done!” Rep. Scott admonished a man in the audience in a loud voice. “You want a meeting with me on health care? I’ll give it to you!”

Dr. Brian Hill is the one who asked the question. He says he’s neither a plant nor a Republican. “I did not go to the meeting to cause any problems,” said Dr. Hill. “I went to the meeting to ask a question that was very, very important for my patients. Source: WXIA-TV

This exchange is indicative of the deeply rooted feelings many Americans have on the issue, but I believe these health care protests amount to nothing more than organized chaos and is fomenting extremists on the fringe of the Republican Party. This could have disastrous effects and I hope and pray that a politician will not be injured or even murdered for his or her stance on the issue. We can agree to disagree respectfully. The actions by the right wing amount to a mob mentality and clear misdirection. Both sides, Democrats and Republicans need to scale back their rhetoric. It isn’t helping to win public support. Demonizing the other side is counterproductive and dangerous.