Ann Marie/DHM:
As someone who was once a moderator on an internet political forum, I know from experience how quickly, even with the very best intentions to remain civil, a thread can go from polite discussion to acrimonious name-calling. The problem lies in the fact that when you hold a political point of view, as most adults do, you (naturally) believe it is the 'correct' point of view. So, when anyone disagrees, you think they're wrong. Because no one wants to be told they're wrong, hostility often breaks out - and it isn't pretty. We don't want that to happen here. It isn't a matter of freedom of speech, that is a given, it's a matter of appropriateness to the venue. Book club and recipe threads are relatively harmless subjects but anything linked to politics, such as health care insurance and politician's promises, is a minefield.
I wish president-elect Obama well and hope he can successfully address the health care insurance issue. I know we certainly can't solve it here. This is a support site for AN patients and their families. There are many internet sites where we can post our political views, state our ideas and complaints about the U.S. health care system and generally have our say on contentious issues. I trust that our members will keep this forum a place of help and respite for those dealing with an acoustic neuroma, not a place where arguments and bickering occur (to no avail).
Anne Marie, I appreciate your sentiments regarding the election and your obvious concern regarding the cost of health care and some medications. and I, too, pray that God will continue to bless our county.
Jim
