Every side deserves its chance to be heard

Todd W. Byington, Las Vegas

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

I have enjoyed the debate that has raged over the civility of the town-hall meetings about health care reform, meetings that have been attended by very angry and impolite seniors nationwide. Some folks think they are exercising their First Amendment right of free speech, which they are, while others think rude participants should not be allowed to disrupt these meetings.

The voices of these Americans are wonderful to hear. These opposing voices are the sound of a healthy democracy. I do not agree with these unruly protesters; I believe we need to reform our health care system, but I want them to know how ironic it is that during the Bush presidency all protesters, whether at a convention or staged news conference, were either kept blocks away or escorted from the venue as not to disrupt the message from the GOP.

We need to listen to others when they have a point to make; as a member of the Democratic Party, this is something we were denied as citizens for eight years under President George W. Bush, so I will not treat anyone with any viewpoint as badly as I was treated. I will defend your right to speak as a minority partisan, even if you refused to validate my viewpoint when I was in the minority.

Taking the time to listen to one another is part of what makes us the greatest nation on Earth. Keep attending those town-hall meetings, but respect for all points of view should be the foundation of the discussion.