Reply #15: I'd use a different concept:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

"scary" separates you from the reader. You're setting up a stance that requires a reader either to embrace your position - to be scared, and, ultimately, saddened - or to go along with the demonstrations against health care reform.

I'd rewrite it in a less combative, isolated tone.

Do you want to make a point, get people thinking along your lines? Or do you want to make enemies? Because that's how your current draft is framed.

The second paragraph opens with an insult - "ridiculous."

You might want to consider writing it without denigrating the views of others (no matter how ridiculous you think they are) - it makes you look narrow-minded and intolerant. I know that I wouldn't read the rest of this letter if it were in the paper, just because of the loaded language. And I happen to agree with you!

The last line is insulting.

Offer an alternative, or else describe in less pejorative terms the things that Democrats have accomplished. But, when you set it up as a Democrats versus The Other Side situation, you're making it combative, and I'm not sure that's the best way to make whatever points you want to make.

But, that's just my take on it............................................