Rarely do the impulsive actions of one party hand the opposition the next election on a silver platter.

In 1932,  in an attempt to clear the Bonus Army from Anacostia Flats in Washington, D.C., Herbert Hoover sent in armored cars and troops led by Gen. Douglass MacArthur and Maj George Patton. Needless to say, Patton and MacArthur’s impulse to burn the Hooverville there and shoot WWI veterans was a disaster for Hoover; Franklin D. Roosevelt reportedly gloated that Hoover “handed him the election” by sending the troops in.

In 1884, Reformist-minded Republicans left the party over the corrupt politics of James Blaine, handing Grover Cleveland the presidency. These “Mugwumps” were tired of the jaded, corrupt scheming of a party that put its own needs ahead of the needs of the country. Sounds familiar, somehow …

And now we have Joe Wilson, representative from South Carolina and another Republican whose impulse control is — shall we say — tenuous at best. In a fit of monumental disrespect, bad judgment and perhaps drunk on the Kool-Aid that Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh have been freely distributing, he shouted out “You lie!” when President Obama was promising no coverage for illegal immigrants under the health care reform plan. Commenting later, Mr. Wilson stammered that the outburst was not “pre-meditated.” Well, it may not have been, but it certainly helped Democrats who were on the fence see the light: Who the hell wants to be tarred with the same brush that’s being used to slather Mr. Wilson?

But this outburst has done more than delineate the stark contrast between reform and health care for every American and sitting on your hands while insurance company CEOs make $107,000 an hour (ref. “Sick for Profit“). It also helped paint a stark contrast between Liberals and Conservatives. In the 8 years that George W. Bush was President, I do not recall one instance where a Democrat ever yelled at him, called him a “liar,” hissed or checked their Blackberries while he was speaking. I’m certain Fox News would have mentioned it.

And that’s the problem. Conservatives — rather than proffering a reasonable, logical rejoinder to the President’s plan — would prefer to appeal to the dark, fearful emotions of Americans. “Abortions are paid for,” “Death panels,” “Socialized medicine” and “Healthcare for illegal immigrants” are the rallying cries of the Neo-Cons intended to scare you, America. As President Obama said, it “would be laughable if it weren’t so cynical.” Why scare you? Because a scared populace is a dependent populace. Ever wonder why Saddam Hussein or Fidel Castro was never toppled? Because “big, bad America” was right there, looming like a boogeyman, ready to rape and pillage, make your daughters into porn stars and your sons into atheist drug dealers. Seriously! this is the kind of tactics that strong-arm fascist dictators use to keep the people in line. Why is it a surprise that extremist Republicans act any differently?

But Liberals, Progressives, and even Moderates are waking up to the fear and logical fallacies of the Conservatives, thanks to Joe “You Lie” Wilson. Hours after Mr. Wilson’s outburst, his Democratic opponent in what looks to be a tough 2010 race — former Marine Rob Miller — received over $50,000 in campaign contributions. Better yet, his GOP colleagues — themselves called on the carpet for their ludicrous assertions and challenged to put up or shut up during the President’s speech — pressured Joe “I’m handing you the election in 2010″ Wilson to apologize. John McCain — a Republican I really like (when he’s not running for president) — even called Joe “I screwed the GOP in two words” Wilson’s comments “Totally disrespectful” and admonished him to apologize immediately.

Hours later, a chastened Joe “foot in mouth” Wilson called the White House and spoke to Rahm Emmanuel, expressing his regretful lack of decorum. Yeah. Sure you regret it. Especially since you lied about Obama lying. According to Newsweek and other news sources, HR 3200 “expressly forbids” extending health coverage to illegal immigrants.

Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it, Joe “Fucked up in front of the whole country on live TV” Wilson? Thanks for handing us health care reform and the 2010 election.