READER RICHARD HALFERTY WRITES: “Why are all the questions at the Obama town hall meetings softballs? Where is the dissent shown at ALL the other town hall meetings? Maybe its just me, but I think many people are afraid to speak out at an Obama Town Hall meeting. Whether its Chicago style, Union goon reprisals, or a tax audit, people are just leery of what action this administration is capable of doing.”

I suspect it’s just the usual hand-picked questioners. But there’s this. And it’s true, the audit stuff is no laughing matter.

UPDATE: Related.

Plus, a question from Professor Bainbridge.

MORE: Claire McCaskill: “You don’t trust me?”

Plus, Jon Stewart: “You know a sales pitch is in trouble when it starts with Look, you gotta trust me, we’re not going to kill your grandparents!“ Love the graphic.

STILL MORE: Sen. Johnny Isakson pushes back on Obama: “This is what happens when the President and members of Congress don’t read the bills.”

FINALLY: Did I say “hand-picked questioners?” Little girl at Obama town hall has not-so-random political connections. More here.