Editor, The Transcript:
David R. Morgan wrote "Any significant change in our health care arrangement will surely be better than what we have..." In response I quote John McEnroe: "You cannot be serious?" How can there be anyone who pays even a little attention to what's going on who does not believe that the federal government is capable of making anything worse?
I suggest a simple idea that would allow Americans to really get some good information about the proposed health care bill(s). Let's have two proponents and two who are at least generally opposed meet in a televised Q and A for at least two hours. For proponents, pick from President Barack Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Leader Harry Reid, or someone else they offer. For opponents/questioners I suggest Sen. Dr. Coburn (obvious reasons) and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (he's smart, articulate, calm and experienced in health care -- in case you didn't know). Some rules would be required. No opening or closing statements -- waste of time, no new information, just their old talking points. At least half the time would be devoted to questions specific to a page in the bill. Each participant would have access to a copy of the bill, preferably online, searchable, so that all would be able to read the page being questioned. The audience on television also would be shown the pertinent page(s). No audience present with the participants -- avoids useless interruption of applause or boos. An audience of a few hundred, randomly selected, would have a way of indicating their level of satisfaction with the answer being given and this indication would be on-screen in real time, but participants could not see this. The moderator would have a rubber duckie that he/she would squeeze to make repeated quacks anytime a person begins to avoid a question. OK, delete that last rule; it's just something I fantasize about when politicians are talking because it would be more fun than my best hour at Disneyland. Actually, a moderator is not needed.
If you think that the president/speaker/leader would agree to such a meeting you are more gullible than Yosemite Sam when facing the wiles of Bugs Bunny. The very fact that the proponents of the bill have not had such a session on their own proves to me that they do not want Americans to know all about the changes coming. They claim transparency, but expect the public to swallow the trillion dollar bill after viewing only through a glass darkly.
If you are a proponent of the "significant change in our health care arrangement" I dare you to contact your proponent senator or representative or president and propose such a Q and A. Be ready to be laughed at.
CHARLIE TAYLOR
Norman
