by Leslie Schwab

Created on: August 31, 2009

Town Hall meetings have been conducted since colonial times, and are a shining example of democracy in action. That is, of course, if they are conducted in a respectful manner by presenting questions and differing viewpoints by citizens directed toward their representatives in Congress. Recent town hall meetings that have been held on our nation's growing health care crisis, unfortunately, have not been held in the true spirit of democracy.

For one thing, there have been small numbers of people who have gone out of their way to disrupt the civility of these meetings. They have carried firearms, carried posters depicting President Obama with a Hitler mustache, or disguised as a terrorist. Members of Congress have seen likenesses of themselves burned in effigy. Some have actually been sent by interest groups representing the health care industry to deliberately sabotage these meetings with yelling and ranting.

For another, there has been a great deal of misinformation concerning the health care plan proposed by the White House. A great deal of media attention had been given to articles appearing on Facebook that were written by former Alaskan governor, Sarah Palin. In these articles, she refers to "death panels" that will be set up by the government to terminate the lives of elderly people who might require costly health care services. In reality, however, Medicare will pay physicians to consult with patients who must confront decisions on end-of-life care. This program was already incorporated into the Medicare program in 2003, and passed by those members of Congress, such as Chuck Grassley, who now support Palin's ideas. Many elderly citizens show up at these town hall meetings to complain about the government taking over their health care. In fact, most of them receive their health insurance through Medicare, which is provided and administered by the federal government.

Part of the misinformation does fall on the Obama administration, because it has yet to present a clear program to improve our current system. President Obama is now trying to explain his proposal for change by conducting his own, nationally televised town hall meetings. Much misinformation and confusion is still in the minds of many Americans. Orderly town hall meetings can be a most effective way of providing information, while acknowledging differing views and opinions; even those at the extreme left and right fringes. What needs to be eliminated are the distracting side shows that only serve to obstruct the democratic process.

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