Which just goes to show that the protests are bipartisan. Though I do find it interesting that apparently representatives don't "work" for conservatives in Obama districts.

More importantly the decision for Democrats to escalate the conflict will likely end badly. For the Democrats. Union goons are not a productive addition to the conflict.

Let them fight it out. The side with the most goons wins. I'm actually looking for a town hall in my district. I'm going with the intent to beat the crap out of a tea bagger!!!!

These right-wing mobs need to be smacked down with a strong law enforcement response. The Democrats typical wimpy, milquetoast response, like the one during the 2000 presidential election Florida recount mob scene, won't do.

This is not a free speech or civil liberties situation. This is an attempt by angry, ignorant thugs and their GOP masters who lost the last several elections to impose their will on the majority through intimidation and violence.

Enough catering to these goons already. Treat them as the seditious, disloyal, treasonous scum that they are.

The town halls are organized by districts with district leaders heading them, intended that way so that representatives my engage with their onstituents. The town hall organizers need to card folks at the door and let in only the people who belong to the district, or they show up with their voter registration cards and sign in (as was done during the primary caucuses). Everybody else stay outside. Anyone banging on doors or windows gets hauled off by the police for inciting a riot. Anyone on the inside yelling and screaming gets carted off as well. Ground rules should be laid out prior to each meeting. Pretty simple if you ask me. I'll be happy to show up as a supporter of health care reform, even if its not my district, but will be happy to stay outside.

I think it's time to properly acknowledge and accommodate these citizens and their right to speak freely. As a sign of goodwill, the democratic leaders should create Free Speech Zones that can accommodate the large number of protesters just like the last President did.

They're made of 8' high chainlink fencing with barbed wire at the top and are usually located a few blocks from the event. This way we can assure the protesters safety from the violent liberals.

This is a long time coming. There have been too many cases in the last 10 -15 years of Right wing prats shouting down and intimidating people without a response from the left. Physical violence is deplorable but it is preferable to servitude and oppression. If your protest involves violating someone else's right to hear and be heard, you will eventually get punched. When the Brooks brothers riot took place during the Florida recount i was ashamed when I realized that no one in the Democratic Party thought to call the nearest Teamster local. The Party of Roosevelt ought not to lose street fights. As for the term labor thug that's just republican for peasant.

This GOP effort to disrupt the healtcare townhalls are populated with people that have bought in to so much misinformation as to be completely ignorant of any of the bills under consideration. They have been fired up by Beck, Limbaugh and Hannity, the champions of lies and misinformtion. These guys can only appeal to the undereducated, non-reading, illinformed fools in society. Mostly they are angry people that have not done well financially themselves and are looking to blame others for their plight. They have become incited to become thugs. They respect no one. The should arrest them each and every time they step over the legal line. A few nights in jail and some healthy fines might make some of them cool off a little. Some of them would protest anything simply because we have a black President which they cannot accept. Who in their sane minds would want to bask in the light of these neandrathals?

Eric: Regardless of the makeup of the people that elected the representative, that representative still works for every single resident of their congressional district. It helps TPM when you acknowledge pure facts instead of pumping hyperbole.

In Chicago we see this type of activity all the time where an alderman tries to pack the hall with their supporters, but it's too late. Word leaked out about the meeting and Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians, Independents, heck everyone except those "in the know" get forced outside even though they were the first ones to arrive.

Some of these events are actual town halls where the elected official alerts their constituents of the various town halls they are attending so that residents can try to make the one nearest to them. If they want to screen entrance, just check IDs up against the Congressional database. Too intrusive? I think so, but it's about the only way you're going to talk the people you represent.