As a Republican I went to Poulsbo to hear Rep. Jay Inslee speak about health care reform and other issues before the house at this time. It was good to see him in person and to hear his words.

I was disappointed by the irreverent response from what I must assume were my fellow Republican party members. I went to hear and to question, but mostly to understand. How can any of us give or hold our support for any issue if we cannot hear and understand how the representative or senator stands on the issue?

I am embarrassed to call myself Republican after this event. There was absolutely no reason for the absent-minded heckling except to keep all of us with questions from hearing the answers. That is not debate. These are the techniques that were used by Adolf Hitler.

We Republicans are good at following the money. Stopping public debate only serves the ends of the few. In this case, huge insurance companies who stand to lose billions in profits are the only ones to profit from silencing the debate of the people.

I was happy that the hecklers were mostly stifled by the actions of ordinary citizens who wanted open debate.

William Frey

Poulsbo