All views respected at new forum
The success of our democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. All of us have ample opportunities to become informed (and sometimes misinformed) given the availability and variety of sources: books, newspapers, radio and TV programs, Internet, Google, and so on.
But engaging in dialogue with fellow citizens and representatives in Congress is quite another thing. We do not have many public places where people carry on face-to-face discussions about politics and discuss controversial issues with respect while engaging a broad spectrum of people with regard to age, political affiliation, class, ethnicity or religion. And we do not have many elected officials or candidates who are inclined to spend large portions of their time participating in such open-ended dialogue.
As a result, many, many citizens have become discouraged and cynical about government. This situation has just changed in DuPage. A group of concerned community members has been meeting for the last two months to start what we have named the People's Coffeehouse. We had trouble finding a place until Ben Lowe, Democratic Congressional Candidate (6th District) invited the People's Coffeehouse to use space in his headquarters at 26 N. Park, Lombard, IL for this purpose.
Everyone is invited to be part of the People's Coffeehouse, have a cup of coffee, and join in informal discussion with Ben and other members of the community. Ben Lowe is new to politics with a fresh mind and a sincere desire to be an honest voice for all of us in District 6.
Feel free to drop in at the People's Coffeehouse between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. any Tuesday, or 7-9 p.m. any Wednesday and help generate creative solutions to our most pressing problems. All ideas are welcome; all viewpoints respected. For more information contact me at PeoplesCoffeehouse@gmail.com.
Frank Goetz
People's Coffeehouse Coordinator
Wheaton