Like conservatives aren't allowed to use the organizing tactics liberals have put to use for years.

But you can "orchestrate," "organize" and engage in "grassroots" operations all you want.  You're not going to get the response that has been engendered unless you are tapping into real anger ... and more important, angst.

Americans ... and not just conservatives ... are angry, and they are scared.  They are waking up to the fact that they have been subjected to the biggest "bait and switch" operation of all time, and they are pushing back hard.

Barack Obama talks quite a bit about "what the last election was all about," and it's clear that the American people think what it was about is different than what he thinks it was.  Voters heard tax cut, budget restraint, a $2500 reduction in health care premiums, "keep your own doctor" and promises of economic recovery and protecting jobs.  They signed on for "post-racial" politics and a President who would earn us respect abroad.

Now they are seeing stimulus, omnibus, bailouts and record deficits, senior economic officials hedging on tax hikes for the middle class, a "cap and trade" monstrosity that won't reduce emissions but will dramatically increase the cost of energy, a health care bill that will not only bust the bank but threaten the health insurance with which more than 70 percent of Americans are satisfied, and job losses mounting even as the economy appears to be turning the corner.

They see their president appoint a judge to the Supreme Court who claimed her status as a "wise Latina" would lead to superior decision-making, and dive into a local police matter with charges of race-baiting and stupid behavior on the part of white officers.  And they are watching our Chinese masters dicate policy to us, the North Koreans running rings around a rookie president diplomatically, and that same inexperienced chief executive give the cold shoulder to brave protesters in Iran.  Not to mention the Gitmo fumble and sucking up to South American dictators.

Lawmakers should be glad that protesters are simply showing up armed with their talking points ... and not torches, spears, tar and feathers.  It's going to be a long, hot August ... and that's just warming up for a very interesting fall when legislators return with very different thoughts about signing up for the President's agenda.

I always warn clients and others I advise not to "shoot the messenger."  Yes, the grassroots are being stirred up.  But there is nothing artificial about the emotions on display at the town meetings, not to mention across the Internet and at discussions at barbecues and across dinner tables throughout America.  As they say about forests and trees, Democrat lawmakers should not miss the field for the "astroturf."