A Voice in the Wilderness In Defense of "Mere Conservatism"

Who’s left to blame?

Syndicated columnist and host of ABC's 20/20 John Stossel gives a clear-headed refutation to the charges from Democrats and the liberal media that the protests at town hall meetings are fueled and funded by big, evil corporations. Turns out most of the big companies and industries being blamed for raining on the Left's Obamacare parade are in on the take themselves.

In light of all this, it's funny to watch Democrats and their activist allies panic over the protests at congressional town meetings around the country. Tools of the corporate interests! they cry. But anyone opposing "socialized medicine" at the meeting can't be a mouthpiece for big business because, as we've seen, big business supports government control. Conservative groups may be encouraging people to vent their anger at congressmen who pass burdensome legislation without even bothering to read it, but that's no reason to insult the protestors as pawns. What's wrong with organizations helping like-minded people to voice their opinions? Why do Democrats, such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, dismiss citizen participation as "AstroTurf" -- not real grassroots -- only when citizens oppose the kind of big government they favor?