*If the video interview above isn’t showing up, click here to watch it.
My ten years in Washington, DC was time well-spent. I loved my adventures there and one of the most positive aspects of it even now is all of the connections I still have. When I worked at in the House Republican Leadership office, I worked closely with the Vice-Chair, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, staff.
She headed up many social media initiatives for Congress. This was back when we were still trying to convince Members that needed to use Twitter and Facebook. But I got to meet and speak more with McMorris Rodgers than any other Member of Congress besides my own boss.
So when I reached out to her office about an interview with me for National Review, I was hoping I would get a “yes.” My hope was fulfilled and I got to speak with her yesterday. She’s now the highest ranking female in the House of Representatives as Chair of the House Republican Conference.
She’s kind and charismatic, optimistic and not afraid to get personal. I was honored that the Congresswoman shared her personal story of raising a son with Down Syndrome and how it affected her personal beliefs and policy direction on healthcare.
I’ll admit to you — I never quite fully understand what’s going on with healthcare. I’m not a policy expert and it all seems very complicated. There is spin coming from every which way. I can’t say I agree with the direction of the new Republican bill but I also can’t say I have see positive results from the current manifestation of healthcare. I will not pretend I can explain it all to you. But I enjoyed hearing McMorris Rodgers’ perspective and I don’t think she’s in the business of “killing people” or hurting those with pre-existing conditions, as we’ve heard so much about since the GOP bill was presented.
We also spoke about civility and how sitting down with those in which you have differences with to discuss the issues is far better than shouting at each other on Facebook. You’ll find people have truly good and personal reason for their beliefs many times, whether you like them or not.
As with SO MANY issues, ultimately we all want to the same thing — for people to have access to affordable healthcare and to protect the most vulnerable in the most effective, long-term way possible. Our methods may differ but our intentions and love of our neighbors does not. Of course not everyone on Left or Right has such noble intentions, but I prefer to give provenly decent human beings the benefit of the doubt.
