Talking about health care ... and the lack of "love of fellow man"

A crowd gathered Thursday to hear U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, answer questions about health care reform.
Obviously, this issue has been contentious throughout the United States.
A lot of town hall meetings have turned into shouting matches, people using rather inane language and words they probably heard from listening to too much Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz.
What about having their own "take" (hello, Jim Rome) on the issue? Have I given talk radio enough "run" in this piece? Yeah.
Fascism, Nazis, "death panels" ... what else am I missing here? Oh yeah. "Obama stinks."
Anyway -- my point is those gathered at Texas A&M International University who asked Cuellar questions did so in a very civil-toned manner. Yes, there were people with different political viewpoints. No one shouted down another person when a question was asked. No one spat venom toward Cuellar during the almost 90-minute town hall meeting.
I do believe having the Sisters of Mercy Health System there as part of it set a unique tone to the event. Laredoans, be proud of yourselves. That was the way to hold a true town hall meeting.
I have no answer to what should be done about health care reform.
Is it an issue which is important and should be discussed? Yes, of course ... like all matters concerning America.
Heck, I wish people would get up and have knots in their shorts about the poor, the homeless, the less fortunate, the addicted, broken and afflicted in this country.
That's not as much fun, though, is it.
Preventive care was mentioned as an important component of personal health care. It's also personal responsibility, too.
In communities all along the U.S.-Mexico border, there are health issues.
Yeah, I hear the "just build the border fence and keep those illegals out of our country" voices.
Ahh, just a question. If you're one of those voices and believes so much in family values, then consider this: a LOT of families live on both sides of the border. Those families go back 3-4-5 generations. Building a fence will separate families ... but who cares about that anyway, right?
Health care reform is a tough issue. It's one late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy spoke of for many, many years while serving Massachusetts in the United States Senate.
I'll stop this piece with one final thought.
Never ... never in this health care reform bill discussion in ANY corner have I heard the words "love of fellow man" arise. It's "us vs. them" again. Caveman mentality.
Let this "love of fellow man" spirit be a part of this conversation.
It should be ... no matter what religious, spiritual or non-religious stand you have in life.
Love is not a religion or political tool. Neither is compassion.
If you made it this far, then thanks for reading.

-- Joe Rutland