In the healthcare debate, many missed the just how negative the language became where the sparks of divisive language harkening back to 2000 began to reappear.  This past week, Rep. Michel Consejo responded to Rep. Burditt’s language in a powerful speech that was journalized.  I thought it was worth quoting in full.

He is right.  We can not stay silent, no matter how fringe we believe the attacks might be.

House  Journal 3/29/11

“Mr. Speaker:

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend break, I tried to put aside the bad feelings that I had left over from our long and sometimes contentious debates of last week. For the most part, I could, except for one instance. The remarks made on this floor, the floor of the House of Representatives, by the member from

West Rutland, was more than my soul could bare. So much so that I had to respond. My name, my accent, my origins, my upbringing – all those facts compounded, make me wonder when I am going to be targeted. To tell me, here, that I am a communist, a socialist, and to compare my actions to radical

islamists, only precludes the days that I am going to be asked to go back to my own country.

This, mr. Speaker, is my certificate of naturalization – on november 14 of 1986, I became a proud citizen of this country. In 1979, when I filled out my documents to enter the U.S.A. as a permanent resident, I was asked to swear that I was never a member of the communist party in my country of origin.

This was one of the many requirements I had to fulfill in order to be accepted here.

Over the years, I had to brush off many remarks and comments about my name and my accent, my country and my origins, but never one has it been on this floor. This rule has been broken, and I stand today as a pre-emptive measure, telling you that I won’t take this kind of attack lying down.

What makes this body strong and efficient is our diversity, both of ethnic views and background. What makes us strong if the fact that we can differ on many subjects and stay civil and respectful doing so. What makes us strong is the respect we have for each other and the acceptance of different opinions.

Mr. Speaker, let me point at our sheild that stands above us…way above all of us. It reads “freedom.” Freedom to be who we are without fear. Freedom to think, act, and live independently, without fear. Freedom to be different, and to lead without fear.

It reads “unity.” That binds us all, as without it, our small state would not be such a strong leader. That unity that has led us to so many landmark, forward-thinking decisions. Let it be known that without both freedom and unity, we cannot be vermont. Let it be known that those who have lived and died for those two words, are holding us guardians of their integrity.

I cannot – and will not – let anyone drive a wedge in that tradition. I, for one, am proud of this body. I, for one, am scared of what is coming next if we do not respond to these kinds of insidious remarks. The time to do political posturing of this sort is outside of this chamber. And I hope that the members of this body, present and future, will share this feeling.

So, Mr. Speaker, to conclude and for the record, I am half spanish, a quarter Italian and a quarter French. I am a U.S. citizen and I can prove it. But above all, I am a proud vermonter, and I am staying here.