It's working! It's working!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

I moderate a small fan board, and every once in a while we get talking politics. This happened recently in regards to health care. The conservatives chimed in with negativity, and I stopped the discussion on the thread by stating I'd post a new thread where the health care controversy would be discussed. I laid down ground rules-foreign members of the group (and we have members from Canada, the UK, and France) could chime in about their health care, and Americans could talk about it--ONLY if they had read the bill. I gave them a link and showed how to read the bill.

And guess what? We are having a real discussion! No hype allowed! One Canadian poster has dispelled all the myths about her health care--and she's been wheelchair bound for decades, so we're talking about a person with continuing health issues. I've gotten thanks from posters who I know are "on the fence" politically, or even lean towards the right. And we've started talking about the real merits of the bill, not some hype.

And some are realizing that Hannity and Beck and Rush have been lying to them! To me, that is a real breakthrough!

Wanted to pass this on as a way that we can combat the ignorance and hype.

[crim son]

1. It IS a real breakthrough!

How to make it happen on a larger scale, especially when it isn't a question of stupidity but wilful ignorance, where people simply choose not to know rather than to become informed. There should be some sort of basic testing required for entrance to town hall meetings, say, or voting booths. If a person cannot correctly answer factual questions about a proposal, then s/he should be disqualified from voting or voicing an opinion.

But good for you! Causing even one person to realize that the likes of Limpballs is a liar might create a ripple effect. Every convert counts!

[TxRider]

4. How to make it happen?

That's easy.

Obama simply has to get out there and sell it better. People aren't buying it so far.

[crim son]

5. I don't disagree.

He hasn't pushed the truth forcefully enough but I wonder, by what means not already being used might he convey his message where the opposition would be compelled to listen? These people are dumb by choice.

[BooBluePotion]

2. Exactly and

There are rightwingers trolling DU Now with Health,mental,and dental issues but will refuse democratic health reform.

Keep up the good work. :)

[Motown_Johnny]

3. got a link?

[babylonsister]

6. Great to read, and imo I wouldn't post a link. Sounds like you are

handling this admirably, and there are 'some' people who might feel compelled to go to that link and try to do damage.

Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

[get the red out]

7. Good deal!

The President does need to sell his health care ideas better. I noticed during our neighborhood potluck last night that everyone knows something has to be done but they don't think anyone has an answer. Average people really are wanting reform, it is all normal people talk about when they get into a group, but I believe they are unclear on what the President is proposing.

[texanshatingbush]

8. As our Australian friends would say---GOOD ON YA !!!! n/t

[OneGrassRoot]

9. Bravo!!!! You're da bomb.....

:applause:

If you come across specifics that have been most effective in shining light on the lies, please do share so we may use in our encounters as well.

Thanks, and great job!!! :)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

10. WOWWW!! That's wonderful!

I think that's a great example of using the internet to great advantage. Something that you really couldn't do with an in person conversation, unless you had a classroom or ongoing discussion group type of situation....

And people seeing that they've been l ied to? Fantastic! KUDOS!

[Matariki]

11. Would you post a link to the bill here too Ayeshahaqqiqa?

It would be helpful. And what a good idea your guidelines are. Too bad all public discourse can't be guided by such good sense.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. I googled HR 3200

and found any number of links to it. I'll let you do the same so you can find the source that will be most effective for you.

[Swamp Rat]

13. Excellent... please post the link in this thread.

I want to pass it on to others. ;)

[applegrove]

14. That is great news. Any breakthrough matters.

[NanceGreggs]

15. Way to GO!!!

:kick: & REC'd!

[JanusAscending]

16. YES !!!

You go girl!!! It is working, and I think a lot of people are waking up to how asinine the right wing zealots sound. They are contributing to their own demise, and are self destructing. Good time for real communication, and education of the uninformed!

[grantcart]

17. excellent

[AntiFascist]

18. Too bad CNN or MSNBC can't do something like that on their website....

all they can do is focus on the nutjobs. Kudos to you for doing something really constructive.