"You Lie!"

The level of bipartisanship in US politics is at an all-time, embarrassing, high or should I say low for citizens.

Last night as we watched the President try to do a better job at selling the Health Care Reform Bill in front of the full house and on television, one enlightened representative yelled out (audibly), "You lie!" The reaction was seen as immediate shock by many in the chamber. The poor slob, who was elected by the good folks of South Carolina, quickly apologized for his "lack of civility."

Did he act on his own, overcome by his expressed emotion? Was he hand-picked to speak the mind of many as the one Republican most likely to willingly risk his career? Pawn? Bottom-feeder representation of those sent to Washington to protect our interests?

The answer, unfortunately, really doesn't matter. It was said - out loud. It was said during a period of time when several people in the public spotlight were also indiscreet. In a one week period people in politics, entertainment, and sports were just all-out rude. The proper apologies were made - we moved on. But...

The weeks since the "You Lie" incident have produced a polarization of conservatives proclaiming the representative from South Carolina as the next party leader, and the liberals doing the bipartisan dance around the Capitol.

Will this representative flourish or flounder as a result of his lack of civility? Time will tell. It seems that the most unsettling question remains as "When did we all get so rude?" Should we always speak our mind - out loud? Does everything have to be personal? Why is the good of many sacrificed for the wishes of a few?