Joshua Bunton
Dear Mr. President and Congress, here's a suggestion: debate!
By Joshua Bunton
In the words of Barack Obama, "All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart or whether we commit ourselves to an effort, a sustained effort to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children and to respect the dignity of all human beings."
Mr. Obama and Congress, in the here and now, this statement is relevant. Before, and leading up to, the August congressional recess, congress was in the midst of crafting legislation for reforming the United States health care system.
Adjourning in the midst of a stalemate, congress recessed only to face a sea of emotions from Americans in town hall meetings across the nation.
To that point, personally, I was, and remain somewhat mixed, confused and unsure about what is being proposed, much like the rest of America. Health care is "the" personal issue that each American has a vested stake in, not only for lowering costs but, rather for it is our body, mind and personal choices we each make for sustained living.
Not withstanding the anger I feel for both sides of the aisle as an independent and former Republican, who voted for President Obama; I write to my fellow countrymen and women, not to stir, provoke or participate in civil unrest or engage in scare tactics but, to exercise your freedom of speech.
As I am doing here, write your senators, congressmen and yes, even the president, to express your concerns, fears and doubts. The greatest part of America is when true debate occurs without bias, special interests or fear of saying the wrong thing politically, isn't that the true American Spirit?
Debate is what the American citizen has done, whereby expressing his or her point-of-view to their elected representatives.
Express ourselves we did, during the congressional August recess Americans sent in emails, wrote letters, telephoned representatives and showed up for town hall meetings; now, having heard from the American people you represent, Congress, go back to work and quit the partisan bickering.
Not welcomed are scare tactics, special interests or saying an idea is necessarily right or wrong — instead, in the great American spirit, debate, craft and compromise on what is best for the nation as a whole, and not for the (R) or (D) after your respective name.
From news accounts both Democrats and Republicans agree health care is need of reform. Okay, great, debate it! Democrats seek a public option, "to cover 47 million uninsured Americans, create competition and lower costs."
However, Republicans seek, "tort reform, health savings accounts, across state line insurance competition, tax credits and keeping health care in the private sector."
Great, Debate and compromise! What Americans don't need is an additional eights years of (R) and (D) partisans, instead we need our leadership to step up and craft real American legislation.
© Joshua Bunton
In the words of Barack Obama, "All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart or whether we commit ourselves to an effort, a sustained effort to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children and to respect the dignity of all human beings."
Mr. Obama and Congress, in the here and now, this statement is relevant. Before, and leading up to, the August congressional recess, congress was in the midst of crafting legislation for reforming the United States health care system.
Adjourning in the midst of a stalemate, congress recessed only to face a sea of emotions from Americans in town hall meetings across the nation.
To that point, personally, I was, and remain somewhat mixed, confused and unsure about what is being proposed, much like the rest of America. Health care is "the" personal issue that each American has a vested stake in, not only for lowering costs but, rather for it is our body, mind and personal choices we each make for sustained living.
Not withstanding the anger I feel for both sides of the aisle as an independent and former Republican, who voted for President Obama; I write to my fellow countrymen and women, not to stir, provoke or participate in civil unrest or engage in scare tactics but, to exercise your freedom of speech.
As I am doing here, write your senators, congressmen and yes, even the president, to express your concerns, fears and doubts. The greatest part of America is when true debate occurs without bias, special interests or fear of saying the wrong thing politically, isn't that the true American Spirit?
Debate is what the American citizen has done, whereby expressing his or her point-of-view to their elected representatives.
Express ourselves we did, during the congressional August recess Americans sent in emails, wrote letters, telephoned representatives and showed up for town hall meetings; now, having heard from the American people you represent, Congress, go back to work and quit the partisan bickering.
Not welcomed are scare tactics, special interests or saying an idea is necessarily right or wrong — instead, in the great American spirit, debate, craft and compromise on what is best for the nation as a whole, and not for the (R) or (D) after your respective name.
From news accounts both Democrats and Republicans agree health care is need of reform. Okay, great, debate it! Democrats seek a public option, "to cover 47 million uninsured Americans, create competition and lower costs."
However, Republicans seek, "tort reform, health savings accounts, across state line insurance competition, tax credits and keeping health care in the private sector."
Great, Debate and compromise! What Americans don't need is an additional eights years of (R) and (D) partisans, instead we need our leadership to step up and craft real American legislation.
© Joshua Bunton
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