Dying For Insurance: Town hall meetings - What would my Grandfather think?

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Town hall meetings - What would my Grandfather think?

I watched the 200 day report card on President Obama last night and then some of the Town Hall meetings. The current political climate made me realize that my family is similar to the rest of the country. I was fortunate to have a caring family; a mother, grandparents, aunts and uncles that had wildly different political views, yet allowed for my generation to form our own thoughts on current events. Because of that, we had very liberal, very conservative and independent thinkers around the table for holidays. We are today as diverse as the nation, but without the yelling and hyperbole. Because of medical issues and distance, I do not get to see them as much as I want, but every day I think about each one of them and really would enjoy finding out their thoughts on issues. My mother, aunt, brother and sister and some cousins are all that is left who would remember some of those early years and that group covers everything from very conservative to very liberal. So, as I was watching the town hall meetings, I wonder what my grandfather would have thought.

My grandparents have been gone for a generation, but I still remember my Grandmother being a more liberal Democrat and my Grandfather being a conservative Democrat. He was successful in running for city offices and was very active in state politics. Along with support from my mother, aunt and uncles I remember openly disagreeing with my grandfather about politics. We always listened to each other and actually considered what each was saying. I considered myself a conservative Republican, which is different from what that term refers to today. I was, and am, a believer in free markets, but only if the market is truly free and must have controls from monopolies. Allowing someone to invent and charge whatever the market will allow is what drove prices down. Someone would come up with a way to make it cheaper or better and that works for almost any commodity. Health care is quite different as we really don't have options if we really need it. If left to a purely unregulated industry, we will have policies that may not be in the best interest of the patient, doctors or country. If totally regulated, it would lead to a different set of problems and costs. I believe that we can achieve both, but we have to discuss and consider each position. That is not happening today.

I was for changes in health care insurance in the 90's and am for changes today. Not as far as the House versions, but think that a compromise with the moderates in the Senate could work. It does not have to be all private or all government. But with the current climate we will never know. What is left of my family that grew up in the 1960's and 1970's ranges from the far right to the far left. However, if you put us all into a room, there may be some strong disagreements, but I think we could eventually come up with a plan that is compassionate and cost effective. Not because of a great intellect, but because we really care what happens to each other and would seek the common good. That is what is missing from the current conversations on almost any subject today. I can't imagine that we would divide the room and call the others either Nazis or Socialists.

Both sides are becoming much to confrontational for even discussions; solutions are impossible. Those either for or against change will not only shout down the other side, they will shout if anyone even talks about a compromise that works. If either side considers it a victory if the other cannot speak, we have lost the true value of freedom of speech. The ironic thing is that two pundits on television who have just yelled over each other for 30 minutes are disgusted that town meetings are so disruptive. I want to hear from both sides and would like to know what everyone is thinking. There is some very real anger and frustration that is justified by both sides. When either side is dismissed by the other as being manipulated, it is insulting. Our Representatives are genuinely surprised that we disagree with them on some issues and it is not because we have not been paying attention or are ignorant.

The above paragraph would cause me to be shouted down by both sides in a town hall meeting and that is sad. Opinions are meant to be expressed and actually considered. It may not make me popular with many, but I think that my Grandfather would understand and approve; even if he disagreed.

TVP tvp@dyingforinsurance.com