All of us complain that the big media often miss the real story, focusing instead on side issues.

Now it's happening at TPM, where numerous meta posts have garnered scores of Recs while substantive health care reform hangs in the balance. Are most of you just missing the story? Or am I deluded in thinking the big story of our times concerns how insurers, drug companies and fascist Right Wing groups are gaming health care reform? Not how people are gaming TPM Cafe? Not how we should all bring Vito and the Thumb Breakers to our town halls?

So it's hard to understand why my post "5 reasons to attend a town hall" -- complete with tips for when you do go -- would languish halfway up the Recommended Posts list before disappearing with a mere 19 recs and 17 comments. Check out what posts have been topping it instead lately.

I mean, hey, folks, I went to Washington to serve you and report back. Not many here have read or recommended those reports. But what do I know? I'm only hip-deep in this issue, after all.

So how about Rec'ing posts that have some enduring value in the scheme of things? If you already have, thank you. If not, here's another chance: Full repost of "5 reasons to attend a town hall" after the jump. Please, TPM, you sent us to DC. Now show us you understand what we learned there.

1. To prevent the death of reform.
Betting the farm on Congress having a strong spine is the same as signing the deed over to the devil. When the morning news shows your congressman or senator surrounded by a mob screaming for the end of health care reform, they'll have every excuse they need to vote against reform. Most Democrats are trying to do the right thing, but they aren't Superpoliticians. And when health reform breaks, say good-bye to every other reason you elected Obama. DeMint wasn't just being ugly, he was being factual: If they can stop health care reform, it will break Obama.

2. So you don't become complicit in tyranny.
Tho ones carrying signs with Hitler and Stalin don't understand totalitarianism or they would recognize it in themselves. They really do want to dictate your religion, make you have babies you don't want or can't raise, topple the disabled from wheelchairs into forced labor and build an American Christian Empire ruling the planet. They will let 47 million die if they can and kill you if they must.

3. Because you want a better world.
It won't be fashioned by elves or fairies or positive-energy thought waves. Though dreams can imagine it, they cannot build it. Yes, a better world is possible. So is a worse one. So choose your desire and roll up your sleeves. The most pressing task is to allow political maneuvering room for real reform. Remember reform? It's the first step toward a better world.

4. Because it is your duty.
The right to rail about party and conspiracy and scandal must be secured with action. You can pretend that the sum of citizenship is leaving your opinion on a blog, or you can shoulder the full burden of what it means to be American and fight for the right to speak with your elected representatives. Stand up for the right to Free Speech, Free Assembly. Or lose these rights, perhaps permanently, to the mob's perverted understanding of our enshrined liberties. If the angry foes succeed in threatening our representatives, terrorizing progressives and shutting down the debate, then our foes will have won victory not through the democratic process, but over representative democracy itself. This year 18,000 of your fellow countrymen will die because they are uninsured. Nearly half a million have died since health care reform stirred briefly in the Clinton years.

5. Because you don't want "reverse reform."
The insurance lobby wants to see all Americans forced to buy their products. That is why their strongest opposition is targeted at a government-run Public Option. All that is required is to combine an individual mandate to purchase insurance with the lack of a Public Option. And that is what they are working to get passed. It would make the insurance industry stronger than ever and the possibility of real reform more remote than ever. The big special interests are trying to insert other poison pills and money delivery chutes into the bills. You can stop them.


And when you go ...

• Although it is fine to cheer as a group for reform, remain calm at all times and never get into a yelling match with the loudmouths.

• Expect the unexpected and ignore all provocations, including name-calling, vulgarity, up-close physical intimidation and being constantly recorded and having your picture taken. They are looking to incite violence, then blame you and discredit health care reform. If physically assaulted in any way -- and this is unlikely -- call for police immediately.

• Don't speak with or try to educate opponents. You are being baited and very likely recorded on video, perhaps by someone very close or by someone 50 yards away.

• Do bring your own video recorder and record everything. Everything.