A variety of interesting perspectives were shared during an afternoon conversation at Ellsworth Community College. A retired teacher, retired farmers, a small business owner, health care workers, one self-employed and one unemployed individual, amongst others, joined the conversation.

There was a strong fear collectively from the group about the possibility of a health disaster ruining their financial well-being. There was also a shared concern about the widening gap between the rich and the poor in our country.

Part of the conversation was dedicated to the pooling of small businesses and those who are uninsured to lower premiums and get more people health insurance. The small business owner in the crowd said that she had looked into that but rates were not terribly attractive. Another participant suggested the pooling could be expanded to unions and trade associations that organize small business and groups to make pools larger and reduce costs. Most agreed that is was not right for large corporations to have access to cheaper health care that small business cannot.

One gentleman concluded that the candidate (for President) who will be elected, is the one with the plan for all of society.