Democracy in action. That's what some people call these "health care town meetings" being held across the country. Some of those meetings are taking place in NJ, including one held by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-Monmouth) down at the Jersey shore and the other one by Congressman Steve Rothman (D-Bergen) up in North Jersey.

It's important for citizens to have their voices heard. To express their opinion. To make it clear to their "representative" what they feel should be done on the issue of health care. However, what is happening at many of these town meetings is simply out of control. There is no dialogue. No back and forth and what's worse, no listening.

I have no problem with people coming to a public meeting with a member of Congress with an agenda and a message to deliver. But if this is done through screaming, yelling, heckling and berating, absolutely nothing will get accomplished.

Now if the goal is to have Congress and President Barack Obama abandon their effort to reform health care and provide coverage for over 40 million Americans (including over 1 million in New Jersey) then fine. The opponents of health care reform "win." But, if the objective is to actually try to pass something that makes sense and improve on legislation being talked about right now, then these town meetings, particularly the one held by Congressman Rothman, are a prescription for disaster.

Consider some of the things that were said as Rothman engaged over 400 people in North Arlington. "I'm going to need a knee replacement," said former North Arlington Councilman Matt Makaus. "Can some bureaucrat tell me, 'No, you can't have it--here's some crutches and an aspirin?'"

A woman on Medicare said this to the Congressman; "The only way you're going to pay for this is taking away care from seniors who have paid for it all their lives and give it to people who haven't paid in." Rothman tried to make it clear that the health care reform bills that he supports have the support of AARP and that any changes in Medicare would be "minimal" and that any drug coverage would be enhanced.

The problem was that few in the audience were buying it. Either they didn't believe him or didn't care what he was saying. A gentleman by the name of John Tamborini got a huge reaction from many in the audience when he said; "Not wanting you folks in charge of my heath is care is my number one priority." Red meat was being thrown out all over the place up in North Jersey while the same thing was happening at Congressman Pallone's town meeting at the Jersey shore.

It didn't matter that Rothman made it clear that he had no intention of trying to "nationalize or socialize" health care. He did say that the "public option" was important "in order to keep the insurance companies honest." But that didn't matter either, even though so much of the health care system is already under the control of the government including Medicaid and Medicare. (Did you ever hear of Social Security?) The shouts and screams came in response to Rothman's comments; "That's a lie," "That's not true," and finally, "Kill the bill."

And get this. For those who believe as I do that quality health care is a right of every American citizen, consider the fact that when one advocate of universal health care said, "all Americans are entitled to health care," the response was decidedly negative with boos echoing the room. Could you imagine health care for every American getting catcalls and boos? What's there to be against?

Of course I understand concern about our skyrocketing federal deficit and yes, Congressmen like Pallone and Rothman need to do a better job explaining and simplifying this complex health care reform effort. But how can anyone in their right mind say that over a million New Jerseyans should continue to go without health insurance? Even those who have a job but just can't afford it? What do many of these folks want to see happen to those without health insurance? Are they actually cheering for the status quo? I don't buy it.

Finally, the idea that 1 million plus New Jerseyans can get health care just by walking into any emergency room of any hospital in the state is farce. That's called "uncompensated care," which means someone else must pick up the tab and who do you think that is? That's me and that's you. Where do you think it comes from? Increased taxes and higher hospital and health care bills. Does that sound like a health care policy that is even remotely acceptable? Not to me. What about to you? Write to me at sadubato@aol.com