Gwen Moore Hosts a Textbook Town Hall
There was a sense of drama in the air as the crowd began filling the auditorium of Milwaukee’s North Division High School for yesterday’s town hall meeting on health care reform.
Elsewhere, even in nearby Green Bay, some of these sessions hosted by members of Congress devolved into angry shouting matches so many were expecting no less at this one hosted by Rep. Gwen Moore.
Many in the audience revealed their support for or opposition to the proposed overall of the nation’s health insurance system through their choice of tee shirts and signs. Clearly, the audience was predominately in favor of reform though a couple of signs, including “Stop Socialism Now” and “Kill the Bill, Not My Mother,” suggested that there was passion on both sides.
Yet the two-hour forum proceeded peacefully and mostly without incident. Moore and her staff deserve enormous credit for the event’s success. Having faith leaders open and close the forum with prayers was, well, inspired.
It’s got to be difficult for even the most rabid protester to take on a man of the cloth.
Moore was also wise to invite Dr. Tom Oliver, an associate professor at University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine and Public Health, to provide the overview of HR 3200, the House version of the health care reform bill.
His presentation, which took the better part of the first hour, was clear and detailed. He was identified as a nonpartisan expert on health policy but his remarks clearly indicated his support for reform.
There was an occasional outburst when one aspect of the bill or another caused an opponent of reform to shout “Liar” or “Communist” or when the majority of supporters broke out in applause to which others responded with boos. But the speakers wisely waited for folks to settle down and settle down they did.
Following Dr. Oliver’s presentation, Rev. Ellwanger turned to questions, first reading about a half dozen submitted online and then devoting the final half hour to questions from the floor, wisely alternating between pros and cons. Nobody who asked a question self-identified as undecided and it appeared that the questioners were primarily interested in scoring rhetorical points.
Undoubtedly, few people who came with their minds made up were influenced to switch sides. Yet, it is gratifying that if someone did indeed show up undecided they may very well have learned something.
I was prepared to provide a lengthy analysis of the distortions and lies spreading in opposition to health care but there’s no shortage of sources for that sort of thing. In particular, I recommend Jon Stewart’s highly amusing and witty riff from Monday night’s Daily Show.
I acknowledge that many opponents of health care reform have substantive and sincere concerns; such as how the proposed changes will affect the exploding federal budget deficit. I am also willing to accept the efforts of national groups to distribute talking points and encourage turnout. Both sides are practiced at this and it’s simply part of the political process.
As long as everyone shows respect for the truth and for one another, I’m totally cool with dissent. It’s what our nation was built on and it’s critically important to protect everyone’s right to express themselves.
Many of the local news outlets were in attendance; including Channel 4, 6, 12, 58, WUWM-FM and the Journal Sentinel and it is revealing to see how they all covered the event.
Certainly it’s no surprise that controversy and conflict played a major role in the coverage. But watching how the reporters mobbed anyone who shouted or appeared ready to disrupt the forum shows that when seeking to cover conflict, the press can sometimes contribute to it.
H.L. Mencken famously said that “nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public,” but I’m happy to report that sometimes they’ll surprise you. People are capable of getting together and discussing controversial topics respectfully.
At least here in Milwaukee.
