So's Your Mother

By Zamboni

It is our humble opinion that Representative Alan Grayson of Orlando hit the nail on the head when he said that the Republican stance on health care means that they want Americans to "die quickly."

Why? Because it's long been clear to us cats that the GOP only cares about people before they're born — and then only after they die. Why else would they scream incessantly about abortion and the burdens of the so-called death tax? Why would they incite killers of abortion providers and also implacably oppose health care reform?

However, at the same time we recognize that President Obama would not consider Representative Grayson's words helpful to the current debate. As sympathetic as we are to Mr. Grayson and his commitment to health care reform, we must agree.

Yes, the right wing has engaged in extreme, over-the-top language. And they have done so since January 20, 2009. But as gratifying as tough talk is — and the Republican health care plan surely is "don't get sick" — it doesn't necessarily help that our side is piling on.

In a perfect world, Representative Grayson's language would force the Republicans to acknowledge their inappropriate behavior. Alas, this is not a perfect world. Nevertheless, we can hold ourselves to certain standards of behavior, even if Republicans won't.

So can we please all use our inside voices and ratchet the rhetoric down a tad?