Letter to the Editor: The Saratogian

Scott Murphy Did The Right Thing

The health care reform bill recently passed by the House is complex. Republicans scare us by saying it rations grandma’s health care, cuts Medicare to the bare bone, increases taxes on everyone, vaporizes private choice, jails anyone who doesn’t get coverage, etc. Most of the scare is true and most of it is false. What?

Democrats are quick to point to their studies, which say the bill increases jobs, makes only the filthy rich pay more taxes and gives everyone a chance to have affordable health care. Most of this is false and most of it is true. What?

One side wants to ram it through so badly they don’t care what the long-term impact might be to the individual, to the employer and to the country. The other side wants to derail the process so badly that they offer an equally nebulous package.

The truth is no one really knows what the impact of this bill will be. Few people care what the impact will be unless it supports their side. So what does the American public receive? A bill that creates a monstrous entitlement program and huge new network of governmental bureaucracies that, once unleashed, will never be able to be modified, regardless of the impact.

The majority of Americans agree something has to be done to check the rising costs of health care. The trouble is, the issue has become so politicized that Congress doesn’t care what they serve up, just as long as they get their way.

It took courage for Congressman Scott Murphy to vote against the bill. Those who wish to bash him for his decision should step back and examine what he said no to before they decide to criticize him. Those from the 20th district should be glad to have a congressman who does not lock step to the party, but is truly looking out for his constituents. Few citizens are represented in Congress by such boldness and common sense.