You know what would really help me gain a clear and local perspective on the real impact of passing/not passing the proposed healthcare reform? Some honest, open dialogue between our local leaders, specifically Reps. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, and Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley.
As a grad student, I'm partial to finding the facts on issues through doing my own research. However, after spending many, many hours on the Internet, including Capps' and Gallegly's Web sites, sifting through facts/myth sheets, summaries and bullet points, I get the sense each side is telling their own version of the story and maybe not the whole story.
Where is the real, complete story? How can we get the real truth?
Perhaps if Capps and Gallegly care to spend time together with us, speaking their mind on healthcare reform and taking our questions, we just might get there. I'm sure my school will gladly open its doors to host a debate.
-- Maria Arias, Sherman Oaks
(The writer is a student of public policy at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. -- Editor)