There's been a lot of talk about how racism factors into the health care reform drama, and so far the debate has focused on a) yes, people who protest reform are racist and b) no, they're not.
I've been firmly in category c) some of the protesters appear to be racist, but it's not fair to paint everyone with that brush.
Now, I'm starting to see a new category:  d) conservatives have developed an over-inflated sense of entitlement these past 8-16 years and some use racist language or imagery to lash out and re-claim a sense of their lost power.  
It's the grown-up equivalent of "Hey, I want my ball back!  Oh, yeah?  Well, you're stupid and your dad's a GARBAGEman!"
Think about it - as kids we learned our parents/siblings/friends buttons and pushed them mercilessly when we couldn't cope with out of control emotions:
"Can I use the car, tonight?" "No, I have to head back to work after dinner." "Oh, so since you suck so bad at your job that you can't get your work done during the day I have to miss out on a birthday party?  Why can't you do anything right the first time?"
Oh, teenagers.
Conservatives saw during the primaries how quickly the left flips out over even the teeniest hint of racism - even to the point of destroying the reputations of established members of our own party.  Which means, we gave them a big fat button to push whenever they're trying to change the subject.  
Yes, some conservatives are definitely racist.  No question.  BUT, I think some couldn't care less about Obama's skin color, except that it's handy to use it to get instant press coverage.  Want to make the evening news, get loads of coverage on the 24 hour networks and have Stewart and Colbert mention you to the ill-informed crowd?  Say something racist!  Outcome:  people who weren't voting for you anyway like you less, people who support you won't believe you meant it, and you might even pick up the votes of a few genuine racists who didn't know your name the day before.
For those of their ilk who are holding signs at protests, it's just a childish lash-out.  SOME comes from deep seated racisim, no question, but some are just trying to push our button.  Their party's out of power, they're feeling ignored, and pushing the racist button will get them the attention they so desperately miss (kind of like when my middle brother would punch my little brother if he was feeling ignored.  Sometimes ANY attention is good attention).
"But I wanted the OLD guy to win." "Sorry, everyone else wants change" "But I don't LIKE change!" "I know, but it will be good for you.  Lower taxes, better health care.  Try it.  You might like it alot." "I don't want to try it!  I don't want change!  I wanted the OLD guy or the DUMB guy!  Stop ignoring me...you...N-Word...NAZI!"
I stumbled on this little nugget from the WSJ that to me beautifully illustrates the unmitigated sense of entitlement and the childish need to demand attention at all costs.  It's not an example of racism, but it is DEFINITELY an example of the juvenile temper tantrums that have been employed.  If this particular story continues to get little attention, someone will probably invoke a racist slur just for the headlines:

Protesters who attended Saturday's Tea Party rally in Washington found a new reason to be upset: Apparently they are unhappy with the level of service provided by the subway system.

Rep. Kevin Brady called for a government investigation into whether the government-run subway system adequately prepared for this weekend's rally to protest government spending and government services.

The Texas Republican on Wednesday released a letter he sent to Washington's Metro system complaining that the taxpayer-funded subway system was unable to properly transport protesters to the rally to protest government spending and expansion.

"These individuals came all the way from Southeast Texas to protest the excessive spending and growing government intrusion by the 111th Congress and the new Obama administration," Brady wrote. "These participants, whose tax dollars were used to create and maintain this public transit system, were frustrated and disappointed that our nation's capital did not make a great effort to simply provide a basic level of transit for them."

A spokesman for Brady says that "there weren't enough cars and there weren't enough trains."

He concludes that it "appears that Metro added no additional capacity to its regular weekend schedule."

Oh, boo HOO!  Yes, the city should have turned itself inside out for them!!  And why didn't the government spend more money to accommodate them as they were coming down to protest excessive government spending!?!  It must be a conspiracy...
Because, of course it isn't possible that folks from Southeast Texas forgot to consider that a city hosting an event might be...crowded?  
"Maybe we should leave for the Mall a little early..." "Nah, DC is lucky we're here!  They'll do whatever is needed to make our visit better!" "Hey, this subway station is CROWDED!" "Everyone has signs, lawn chairs and coolers!  It's hard to fit on the trains!" "We're going to be late!" "It's the city's fault!  It's the PRESIDENT's fault!" "I bet they would have had more trains for a DEMOCRAT rally!" "That's it!  I'm making another Nazi poster to show CNN!  That'll show 'em!"
*sigh*  Children.