Earlier this week a letter writer called people “Republicans thugs” because they disagreed with a speech on the health-care reform bill being discussed. The president a couple of weeks ago called those same people “a mob.” Nancy Pelosi called those same people un-American because we disagree and need more answers.

When did disagreeing become against the rules? When did freedom of choice become against the rules? When did personal responsibility become against the rules? In D.C., the only people getting heard are the Democrats and some of us believe we need to be loud to get heard. How come when Americans disagree and get vocal about it, some see us as un-American, thugs and a mob?

Then on Thursday a person wrote that the silent majority should stand up and be heard. That letter writer mentions that “our soldiers fought to protect our freedoms.” I am one of those soldiers, a Marine, and I actually fought in a war for those freedoms but I also fought for the freedom to disagree and not be called names. I believe name-calling is meant to distract people from the issue.

In six months the deficit has increased almost three times. The estimated deficit for the end of this year is $1.8 trillion. That is more than three times what it was when Bush left office — somewhere between $400 billion and $550 billion, depending on who you listen to. Maybe a lot of what people are screaming about is we want the government to stop spending our money.

As of July 31, the single largest cost to the federal government (that’s all of us who pay taxes) is in health and human services. The war is a close second, but still second.

Michael G. Reagan

Edmonds