I know I shouldn't even respond to you, but here goes: The problem is HD the public is not learning from the current discussion about health care because no real meaningful discussion can take place over name calling, yelling, talking over public meetings, and generally behaving disrespectfully towards everyone! Misinformation is the cause celeb of a very loud minority. How many people are actually going to read the 1100+ paged bill? It is taking me forever to wade my way through the thing. Rest assured most of those congress folk are not reading the bill in entirety nor are the blowhards who literally making things up about the House Bill. I just don't believe many folks know what is exactly going on here. But there are a vocal minority, willing to spread as much misinformation as possible, they want to continue to argue about lies. Their hopes are eventually to convince a small majority to oppose any change to our current system.

I myself intend to be armed with facts when I participate in these town hall meetings, I have real questions for my representatives. I intend on being heard and not be shouted down by thugs who participate in acts that undermine their own interests! Truly incredible! These folks seemingly carry talking points with them! Yelling over other folks and browbeating public officials is incredibly small; it is also breathtakingly destructive to their own cause. They, unfortunately, are very willing to hijack public discourse. I still think most regular folks get it, and they don't like it when they are shouted down.

This tactic may not win conservatives the votes they think it will in 2010.

I think that is who is left here, many many boys, arguing, and then there is stupid me. I am off to better pastures, that 25 mile bike ride, a trip to the gym to lift weights, baking some cookies for tomorrow nights move-on pow wow, take it easy everyone!

Thanks Joan once again for a place for some discourse. The health care issue is a huge one. I hope we get it right. I think we can if we try hard enough.

Or not:

I say not, and so do lots of other people.

This editorial is entitled An Unruly Night in Napa

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2009/08/05/opinion/editorial/doc4a7918305d01f722673520.txt

If you really think this is working, then keep it up. I guess there are lower lows that can be attained by the party of Angry Old White Men.

Those nuts in your scenario are only dead cause they had lousy health care! :)

It is sad to read the letters. People are whipped up into a frenzy, making sure corporate interests are protected over their own. They regurgitate lies passing them off as facts, never reading the bill, just continuing on in their vendetta, the vendetta they hold against themselves.

Here is a song for all your trolls, I am sure you will recognize it:

Nowhere Man please listen,

You don't know what you're missing,

Nowhere Man,the world is at your command!

He's as blind as he can be,

Just sees what he wants to see,

Nowhere Man can you see me at all?

Nowhere Man, don't worry,

Take your time, don't hurry,

Leave it all till somebody else

lends you a hand!

The Beatles

You said

to truly understand the mindset of liberals

This thread is sad, you are sad, what vitriol we hold against each other, this isn't about being a liberal or a conservative, we have something important to do and there are those who are trying to stop us from doing what we think is right. This isn't about left or right.

You are correct there have been some terrible things said, on both sides in this thread, name calling, threats, it is almost like one of those town hall meetings and no one seems to be able to pull out, recognize we are all related in some way whether it is through our heritage or just being Americans. I think it is sad, just sad and No Where Man came to mind while reading this thread, because it seems sad, we write at each other with hatred, hatred of one side or another. Liberals this conservative this, blah blah blah, I've done it myself, and I don't like that I participated in the hatred, it contributes to nothing. Suddenly I thought to myself the other day, enough is enough, somehow we need to pull together. I don't know if we can but I am hoping one day we can.

I guess I just don't want to fight anymore. I used to tell my children when they were young, don't fight learn to settle your disagreements another way. I think Joan tries to do that with her editorials, but lately they've devolved into complete and total hatred. We've got to stop so we don't become Balkanized, but I fear it may be too late. (is that the wrong to, too?)