Summer of Healthcare Discontent Rages

Town halls boil over with anger

Democratic lawmakers fanned out Monday to sell President Obama's health care overhaul at town hall meetings, and in return faced a healthy dose of criticism but also intimidation from angry Americans.   

"One day God will stand before you and judge you!" a man shouted at Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., during a particularly spirited town hall, The Associated Press reported. Health care forums in Missouri and San Diego, Calif. were also described as heated, according to reports.  

In contrast, Barack Obama addressed a friendly crowd of 1,800 in Portsmouth, N.H. But outside the event, a man with a gun was among several protesters. Afterward the man appeared on MSNBC's "Hardball," where host Chris Matthews asked in exasperation: "Why did you bring a God damn gun?"

In Georgia, Democratic Rep. David Scott found his office vandalized when someone spray painted a swastika on a sign with his name on it. The black congressman said he'd received hate mail recently, with some letters referring to President Obama as a "Marxist." 

Get More: AP, New York Times

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