Spirited discourse, not divisiveness

Although there are many who disagree with these reforms in their entirety, most agree with many components contained in both acts.

For those of us who have struggled to obtain health care benefits, we heave a sigh of relief. For those of us who wonder how we will pay for our children's education or even how we can help them, we heave a sigh of relief. Ours is not a perfect system, but I would remind those who are spewing hatred that it is preferable to the systems seen in many oppressed countries.

We must promote spirited discourse, not divisiveness. The beauty of America is its willingness to tackle the tough problems even when we don't have the perfect solution; the willingness to take a chance that what we try might not work; the willingness to listen to what others have to say even when we don't necessarily agree; and the willingness to embrace our differences and try to marry them into one we can all live with.

I applaud the members of Congress who were willing to stand up for something that not everyone agreed with and risk a political career, and I condemn those who have stood silent in the face of the hatred and violence that has erupted from those who disagree. Thank you to those members of Congress who were brave enough to vote their beliefs and the beliefs of so many of their constituents. Passing these acts is the first step toward taking back our democracy.

Laura Gaspardo

Cary