Politics & Government

How Much Respect Do We Owe Elected Officials?

After Gov. Mark Dayton called a recent town hall audience rude, Patch wants to know what you think is acceptable behavior.

A week ago, an audience at Shakopee High School responded when Gov. Mark Dayton said that the state's legislators are underpaid. In a Tuesday press conference, Dayton said the behavior was juvenile and reminded him of his ninth grade general science classes in New York City.

Such responses are hardly unknown. As debate heated up on health care reform a few years ago, protests often greeted Democratic members of Congress trying to sell the legislation to constituents in Town Halls. More recently, Nick Espinosa and Sam Richards dumped glitter on presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the beginning of a speech in Eagan in February 2012.

Such outbursts aren’t confined to the United States either. In December 2008, an Iraqi reporter threw a shoe at former President George W. Bush during his last visit to the country before he left office.

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The right to protest is ingrained in both American law and culture. But what responsibility does the public have to remain civil during town hall forums and other public discussions? When do you think a political statement crosses the line?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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