that demon called debate!

I always thought there were two sides, at least two, to every story. If there is a victim there is an aggressor. If there is a right there is a wrong. If there is offense there is a defense. If there there is an opinion there is a response.

I also used to think that in America, the land where "democracy" was born, there was room for discussion on any idea which elicited more than one view. And that the healthy part of living within a "democratic society", debate about any subject, expression of opinion about any concern, conflicting commentary about any idea, was the best way to try and find common understanding, reason and resolve.

But it seems ever since the strong armed tactics of the Bush Administration, and the Republican goon squads, debate is a demon, and has no place in the type of "do as I say, not as I do, "democratic" process lived by most and many Republican Elected Officials.

Debate it seems relies on expressing truth or fact, reason and real. When all you have on your side is fabrication, greed, selfishness, or lies, it becomes harder to justify your side of the story, so better not try debating just elude the explanation.

If the point of view you hold as true has merit then by all means you should gladly debate your opponent by letting them know the value of the issue and the facts that back up your point. If the facts add up and lead to a better solution talk loud and proud about them. Fear not the truth.

Why each and every Republican Senator voted no on the cloture vote to even allow the Health Care Reform Bill to be permitted for debate is astounding. It is horrifying that the Republicans wanted to deny a mere debate on an issue many Americans have made one of their top priorities. And if you buy the Republican argument that Americans do not need the type of Health Care Reform sponsored by the Democrats, why not then have the Republicans debate their views of negativity?

Why not? Well for me that is an easy answer. The negativity surrounding the Republican point of view has little to do with Health Reform but more to do with the Lobbyists of the Health Care Cartel/Pharma-Conglomerates, who have promised more money in the pockets or coffers of said Republicans.

There is little honest fact the Republicans have to use for the debate on Health Care Reform, and more about greed and gluttony. There is less fact in the "only say no" Republican tirades, and more about fabrication. There is less to be gained for most Americans and more about selfish self serving rewards for the Republicans in denying any conversation about Health Care Reform.

And the "win-win" would be if the Republicans, stop the conversation, allow the lies to be held as truth, never argue the facts and disregard the "life liberty and pursuit of happiness" of millions upon millions of American citizens. At least when the "life liberty and pursuit of happiness interferes with campaign donations, jobs for spouses and kids, or private financial gains for most or many of the Republican Elected Officials.

I am pleased that all 60 of the so called Democratic party Senators allowed the debate to continue. (But I also wonder just how many kickbacks, bribes "pork projects were promised to the hold out Senators "what's in it for me" Joe Lieberman (D) Connecticut, "if I can't win I won't vote" Blanche Lincoln (D) Arkansas, "i screwed up during Katrina" Mary Landrieu (D) Louisiana, "and how much do you want to pay me" Ben Nelson (D) Nebraska? Wonder how much more the Health Reform package grew with secret promises to all these American selfish men and women.)

We have been witness in our most recent history to those Republican/NeoCons, Religious Bigots who fear the demon called debate or never want to state an opinion but wish so well to deny a point of view. They were in full force disrupting the town hall meetings. With their bullying, their mob mentality they attempted closure on any conversation on Health Reform. They made sure only one side screamed and yelled, never waiting for a response. They don't debate the abortion issue, instead they send armed militia to churches or offices and kill the doctors who preform late term abortions. They preach from their pulpits, arguing that if it comes from God there is no other answer. And they sit behind microphones on television and radio, spewing garbage, myth, and bias. Never once do they provide the other side the chance to answer.

We all are entitled to our opinion. But when WE are the Elected Officials of this great country and our opinions become law, there has to be more consideration given to the facts, the honesty the opinions of the other side.

I am saddened by the politics of our Politicians. The ones who place their needs, their careers, their pocketbooks above all else. The Politicians who refuse to debate for fear all they have to offer to the debate is a debacle of indecent lies and lore.

We must never let the debate die. Nor allow it to be called a demon.

This is America after all... isn't it?