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 [1] is hosting the Heartland Presidential Forum [2] 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. [3] TV coverage is also anticipated on C-Span.