Along with an overflowing crowd, I attended the forum about Health Care Reform presented by The League of Women Voters in Coupeville Aug. 6.

We need health insurance reform in this country. Everyone on the panel agreed with this basic premise. What type of reform and how much is another matter. For the first time in my life, I do not have health insurance because I am out of work. It has brought this issue into sharp focus for me. We all know aspects of the health care system do not work, but how to get to common ground seems next to impossible.

There was no stopping loud comments and derisive booing on sensitive issues for those who follow the teachings of right wing talk show hosts who promote the politics of hate. One particular outburst from this part of the crowd followed Rep. Larsen’s answer to a question about a portion of one of the House bills. He waited a moment for the loud response to die down, then poignantly stood up to them and said, “Read the bill. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Glen Beck are wrong on this.”

My personal hope is that President Obama will stop trying to achieve compromise and exercise the Democratic majority on this and other issues. We have tried to play nice, but the time for that is over.

Thank you to the League of Women Voters for providing the venue for this discussion, and thank you for keeping the lively discourse under control.

Cindy Arnold

Freeland