I watched at work as much of the health care summit as I could without getting fired and was saddened by the disconnect I saw.

People who were supposed to have our interests — their bosses' interest — at heart seemed to be clinging instead to the talking points of their political parties that they hoped would help them get re-elected.

Whatever happened to the statesmen whom we learned about in early American history? Compromise and the earnest desire to make this country great won out when there were disagreements.

Now, it seems, "It's my way or the highway."

Right about now, you should imagine my heavy sigh.

Wallowing in that funk, I saw something on Facebook about a Coffee Party movement, and I immediately passed on by. But then I saw a couple of other references and finally someone e-mailed, urging me to look into the grass-roots movement.

My wallowing stopped.

The Coffee Party movement is an effort to challenge the idea that the Tea Party movement defines Americans, said Annabel Park, who accidentally started it. Park, 41, a filmmaker in Washington, D.C., commented on her Facebook page about a month ago that someone should start a "smoothie party. Red Bull party. Anything but tea. Geez."

The response she received prompted her to create the Join the Coffee Party page on Facebook and later a Web site, www.coffeepartyusa.com.

The core mission, according to the Web site, is to give "voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government.

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