Thank you for your response I will advocate for inclusion more diverse opinions. We had small groups but House Bill 676 single payer healthcare dominated most of the discussion

(Part 2) I was hoping for open challenging dialogue. I was looking for the beginning of a movement where we can talk civilly with those who are not carbon copies of our selves. I am hoping for a return to a time where we can talk about the needs of community with anyone we meet on the street the same way we talk about a local sports team. I want be able have a discussion about healthcare, education, defense, foreign policy or the economy in the union hall, at the private club, or the avant-garde coffeehouse without worrying about beer, Jack on the Rocks, or a skinny latte being thrown at me.
Until we can discuss these important issues together on the local level we cannot expect Congress and the Executive branch to do any better.

Part 1) I just return from my neighborhood’s group meeting. I found a lot of excitement, energy and hope. I found group of people enthused that issues they feel strongly about will now be heard. I also found a room full of people all with agendas in place; issues already decided wanting to sell others on their ideas.
Let me first say I agree with most of what was expressed but something very concerning was missing. I did not hear disagreement. I did not hear a give and take of contrasting ideas and therefore I did not hear any enthusiasm for finding common ground with those who don’t share our view. I just hear the flip side of the dominate voices of the last 8 years. This is not what we need. This is not change.