As I watched the August shout-down-a-thon that we called a debate on health care I struggled with the question of how I could add more substance to a political culture that has turned to irrational fear, empty slogans, and anger.
When I attended one of the health care forums I was discussing health care reform with about 5 people who opposed reform.
At one point, one of the gentlemen, who was quite exasperated said, "you have a response to everything I say." It struck me odd at the time, as I thought the goal of our discussion was to flesh out the health care crisis we face and how we move forward. I realized he wasn't even listening to me.
But in hindsight I realized that wasn't why he was there... he didn't feel like his voice was being heard. His anger and frustration came from the fact that he didn't feel like he was being heard on something he felt was very important. So I wasn't really listening to him either... I was talking policy but I wasn't taking the time to discuss the core of his issue--which in some ways was more about the process and his place in it than it was about health care.
From that, I decided I wanted to find something I could do to add more substance to the political debate--something beyond the blurbs and talking points. Plus its good to step away from the computer screen and actually be human for a while--we are social animals after all.
So i've decided to walk away from the computer from time to time and go grab a cup of coffee with folks who are adding substance to issues we face in the 21st Cent.
When I attended netroots nation I also had the opportunity to sit down with the Economist Dean Baker at the Center for Economic and Policy Research.
I possibly picked the loudest location in the entire conference center to record the interview... sorry about that.
No comments:
Post a Comment