The protesters' rhetoric is extreme, with some carrying signs that compare President Obama's plan to Hitler's Final Solution - or the extermination of over 6 million people during W.W. II. Accompanying this effort is a massive misinformation campaign that attempts to frighten people about the dire consequences of reform. For example, senior citizens - one group of people most likely to vote in an election - have been told that they may lose coverage for critical care under a program that will "force them to die." An even more shameless lie by anti-reform lobbyists is the assertion that under Obama's plan, anyone over 65 years of age will be visited at their homes by government workers who will force seniors to make "end of life" decisions.

These outrageous claims follow build on months of other shamelessly ridiculous rumors that Obama isn't an American citizen, that he wants to eliminate free markets and establish socialism, and that the president supports a massive domestic spying program to track down "non believers."

This is nothing more than old-fashioned mud-slinging - telling as many lies as possible, so that even if one or two "stick," then the president is delegitimized and his ability to govern is diminished. The key element in all of this is fear: the fear of change. Nothing mobilizes people more than fear. Recent history shows that people will willingly give up something important - including one's constitutional rights - in exchange for a false sense of security.

The debate on health care reform is not over, and the only way to turn this around is communication. Talk with your friends and neighbors. Write, call or email your elected representatives in Washington. Tell them that you want health care reform. Then, turn that talk into action - volunteer for a group that supports health care reform, attend a town hall meeting, and donate to groups that will lobby Congress for reform.

It's time for action. Let's work together to provide affordable health care for all Americans.