By IL News Connection
Chicago, IL – While the news has been filled with images of hecklers and shouting protesters at town hall meetings focused on health care reform, some people are calling for a return to more thoughtful discussions.
Laura Dean Friedrich, director of education and advocacy at Protestants for the Common Good, says the general public and lawmakers need to listen to the concerns of both sides. "I think the opponents have some good points probably, but it gets lost in all the uproar that's going on. And I think the proponents certainly have some good points as well, but it gets lost in all the defensiveness."
While some in Congress have stopped town hall meetings, others are scheduling more, and some are resorting to teleconference town halls in order to conduct a more thoughtful discussion.
Friedrich says she understands that people are afraid of losing what they already have, but Americans are smart enough to figure out this complex issue.
She says it's up to us to educate ourselves by looking for trusted non partisan sources, such as the Kaiser Foundation.
