A Healthy Debate about Healthcare.. it can be done

OMG, a discussion about healthcare that didn’t devolve into a screaming match. I am really impressed with Mr. Franken on this one and he really deserves some kudos as does his audience. It was on the verge of turning into a circus. There must be something in the water in MN.

Why can’t discussions like this be the norm? Why does it have to be a shout down at all the town halls? This should be held up as an example to what can be done. Sadly, no news channel is carrying this story yet. If they finally get around to carrying it, it’ll be a blurb at the bottom of the hour, right before they continue talking about Michael Jackson or Chris Brown.

While coverage of the health care reform debate has focused on yelling, booing and fistfights, not all engagements between lawmakers and constituents turn hostile. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) discussed his beliefs and goals about health care reform at the Minnesota State Fair Wednesday with a group of constituents, and calmed down some who were upset, giving clear, honest answers to thought-out, sincere questions. "I thank you for your passion," he says to a vocal member of the crowd, "we need that, and we need to have these conversations." And then, remarkably, she calms down, and everyone discusses the matter in a reasonable and cool-headed manner. "We all want reform, the question is how do we do it," Franken said. A mixed bag of opponents and supporters gathered around as the senator explained his perspective, how he will vote, and how he believes the legislation will benefit the people of Minnesota and the nation.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/04/franken-calms-down-health_n_277687.html

The title of this video is a bit grandiose… can’t have it all. Though I have to wonder who the guy holding the camera is… the circumstances seem a little staged. Probably about as staged as all the other town hall meetings have been. Actually, thinking about it, it’s pretty clever on Mr. Franken’s part. An impromptu town hall meeting. Guerilla Town Hall Meetings…