President Obama to host town hall on healthcare reform

June 28, 5:32 PMFederal Way Independent ExaminerBoye' A. Coker

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              President Barack Obama

In another move that further underscores the importance his administration (and most Americans) attaches to the issue of our broken healthcare system, President Obama will on Wednesday host a town hall on healthcare reform in Annandale, Virginia. In the video (below) courtesy of the White House blog, the POTUS asks Americans to submit their questions via YouTube, a continuation of his policy of interacting personally with the people as a means of gauging their pulse on this most crucial of national issues.

The rather calm, direct and engaging video would suggest the president and his staff remain committed to the concept of engagement through electronic interaction in particular, as they look to regain control of the tone of the national conversation, on healthcare reform. The Republicans, in true fashion have held sway with their traditional opposition to everything Obama, a tactic that has seemed to take the focus away from the real core issues surrounding healthcare reform. They have struck the usual "socialism" chord and it is important that the White House reclaim the tactical as well as moral imperative on this issue that is most central to the health of our nation's economy, as it relates to the deficit in particular.

It is important that the American people are not bamboozled by the all-too-familiar GOP rhetoric that seeks to cast every initiative for change as one that is antithetical to the basic philosophy and fabric of our way of life. The GOP has had a "do nothing and let it slide" approach to every core economic sector for over two decades, and at a time when spiraling (out of control) healthcare costs are not only driving small and medium-sized businesses to the ground, but also the American consumer to the brink of bankruptcy, as the president reiterated, "doing nothing is not an option."

The Clip ends with the president stating:

"Ultimately, your engagement on this issue is just as important as that of our lawmakers. I've always believed that real change doesn't come from Washington, it comes from the American people -- and we won't be able to achieve reform without you. So America, tell me what you want to know about health care reform and I'll do my best to answer your questions. I look forward to hearing from you."