Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Re “Keep Off the Astroturf,” by Ryan Sager (Op-Ed, Aug. 19):

Memo to Mr. Sager about Astroturf movements: They are “Astroturf” because the organizers try to hide behind the veil of secrecy, and create the impression that normal, everyday people are the ones who have put these movements together. If the news media had not uncovered just who the organizers are, we would have all been misled into the belief that they were genuinely grass-roots.

Any comparison with either the groups engaged in get-out-the-vote at election time or with the groups supporting the Obama administration fails on at least two counts. The health care Astroturf folks are bent on suppressing any rational discussion of the issues, whereas President Obama has been too nice and too accommodating in encouraging debate on the matter.

Also, there is the issue of secrecy. There is no secret that the Democratic National Committee has organized people to support the health care initiative.

Ben Myers
Harvard, Mass., Aug. 19, 2009

Note from KBJ: Two things. First, who cares who "put these movements together"? The fact is, people came out. Were they forced to come out? Were they coerced into coming out? Were they manipulated into coming out? If you answer yes to any of these questions, supply your evidence. These town-hall meetings look like democracy in action to me. Second, who is "suppressing any rational discussion of the issues"? The people who go to town-hall meetings are trying to engage their elected representatives, many of whom haven't been listening to their constituents. The letter writer seems puzzled, even upset, that anyone would have different beliefs or values from the president. I have news for him. Most Americans oppose President Obama's health-care plan, and they have good reasons to oppose it.