Putting "You Lie" to the Test

The "You lie" ouburst of Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) during President Obama's health care speech was unprecedented and has drawn intense and immediate response. For the record, both of the non-partisan fact-check websites say Wilson's claim that illegal immigrants are covered in current health care reform proposals is bogus. Wilson reports being ordered by House GOP leadership to contact the White House and apologize. Rob Miller, Wilson's 2010 opponent, drew $100,000 in campaign contributions overnight. Right-wing media supports Wilson and agrees with his outburst calling him "a great American hero." Former Reagan budget official and current GOP gadfly Bruce Bartlett made some predictions.

No doubt, right wing publishers like Regnery and Crown will be beating down Wilson's door today to sign a book deal that will put him at the top of the New York Times bestseller list along with drivel from the likes of Michelle Malkin, who has probably already started writing her biography of Wilson, titled, "The Man Who Spoke the Truth." By the end of the day a Wilson for President web site will be fully functioning if it isn't already. Watch for the announcement on Glenn Beck’s show this afternoon.

UPDATE: Wilson's outburst seems like the logical consequence of both the language and spirit of movement conservatism over the past couple of decades. Those who disagree with the modern right are not merely mistaken, they are labeled as biased, treasonous, immoral or seized by irrational hatred. You can't disagree with these folks without their attributing it to a dark, corrupt motive. Andrew Sullivan compares the outburst to the verbal jousting in the British House of Commons.

But one thing you are not allowed to shout in the Commons is that another speaker is a liar... Once the opposition starts yelling "You lie!" they have essentially abandoned the deliberative process, by questioning the good faith of a speaker. Without an assumption of good faith or a factual rebuttal, just calling someone a liar abolishes the integrity of the debating process. It ends a conversation. And parliament is about conversation.

I would say that politics is about conversation. Modern conservatives regularly fail to make "an assumption of good faith or a factual rebuttal." Such a stance absolutely "abolishes the integrity of the debating process." So long as the GOP behaves in this manner, bipartisanship is a naive dream.

--Ballard Burgher