Warning: Real Questions For Candidates Ahead

Normally, having lots of candidate debates is good for democracy, giving voters ample opportunity to see ideas tested, assertions fact-checked, and proposals detailed.

But while this presidential primary season has offered plenty of debates, all too often media moderators ignored pressing issues, lobbed vapid questions, and ginned up superficial conflicts. Democracy has not been well served.

Fortunately, a refreshing change is on tap this Saturday afternoon. The Center for Community Change is hosting the Heartland Presidential Forum in Des Monies, where real people will ask real questions to Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Chris Dodd, former Sen. John Edwards, Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Sen. Barack Obama. Questions like these:

About 5,000 people are expected to attend. For details on how you can join them, click here. TV coverage is also anticipated on C-Span.

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future