Boy, someone sure is clueless, and this time I'm pretty sure it isn't me. Obamacare supporters have made their own version of the famous Gadsden "Don't tread on me" flag that has become an adopted banner for the Tea Party and libertarian movement. Here are the original and the Obamacare version.
The obvious problem is that the original flag was meant as a warning to an oppressive government. What sense does it make for an oppressive government to adopt it on behalf of its most oppressive intrusion into our lives?
And you know why the rattlesnake was chosen as the symbol of the American spirit? Let none other than Benjamin Franklin explain:
"I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shown and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of stepping on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?"[5]
In other words: Hey, I'm not going to pick a fight with you, but just lie here quietly, not bothering anyone. But if you mess with me, I'll hurt you more than you can imagine.
That's the message the administration wants to send to the American people? Mess with my program, and I'll really hurt you? Sure seems that way sometimes, huh?
