As a rule, giving politicians a piece of your mind now and then is a good idea. Occasionally, elected officials need to be reminded who's in charge. But don't confuse the rowdy protests in the health care reform forums with the fine American tradition of talking back to those who wield political power.

In forum after forum around the country, members of Congress have been shouted down, cursed out and forced to cancel town hall meetings on health care reform because of bully tactics by opponents of health care proposals.

This doesn't promote debate and the exchange of ideas. Rather, it promotes fear and intimidation — similar to the Cuban government's goon squads, the so-called repudiation brigades.

Last week, protesters showed up at a forum in Tampa, Fla., by Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor, who barely had begun her opening remarks before the protests erupted. She had to be escorted out before any real discussion could take place. Another protest by a group described as rowdy and rude greeted staffers of Rep. Ron Klein in Lighthouse Point, Fla.

Much the same has happened elsewhere, with the protests taking on the character of anti-administration rallies and much of the venom directed at President Barack Obama himself. One protester at a forum held by Rep. John Dingell of Michigan carried a poster of the president with a Hitler-like mustache. Such outrageous tactics were used against President Bush in protests about the war on terror.

Certainly, the frustration and anger of some members of the public should not be taken lightly, nor should general concerns about health care reform. The costs are staggering, the details are confusing and most Americans still can't see what's in it for them in the various reform proposals.

But staging raucous protests and drowning out real discussion is no way to win the argument. It only leads to more argument.

Urge your elected representative to support reform — or not — but give others a chance to speak and be heard. That's the American way.