MY TURN By TOM NUTTLE
Writer rebuts two healthcare reform supporters If healthcare is such an important and critical issue for the U.S. (it is), then let’s take the current Democrat’s legislation off the table so we can fundamentally and critically debate and discuss the topic. I do not accept the assumption that legislation is needed or that it should even be on the table it just accelerates and requires people to address this Democratic Party plan with huge force or this will be enacted without anyone understanding or knowing what happened. To Sy Larson, president of AARP, NJ: 1. Please show us where this guarantee is in each of the plans on the table and show us how this is going to be affordable. 2. You are asking for us to “go to the nonpartisan source you can trust (AARP)?” You want us to believe that the AARP has no agenda and is not biased to the Democrats and President Obama? According to “The Hill,” the new CEO of AARP Barry Rand contributed $8,900 to President Obama’s campaign committees, federal records show. To Chuck McCann of Hamburg: 1. You state to the people that are against the Democrats healthcare plan, “we have the choice and the ability to speak the truth to one another. We have the opportunity to substantiate our arguments with the facts and not with talking points and rhetoric that have been designed to mislead us’ the public.’” You are assuming that we everyday citizens (of all political types that have just had enough with more government intervention in our lives) are lying and not telling the truth. This is not being honest with people that have a fundamental disagreement with the Democrat’s legislation. 2. You are asking us to believe “There is no plan to nationalize healthcare, and I believe that you know this.” Really? 3. You ask us: “Do your core values as Republicans not offer anything substantial in your fight against healthcare reform?” I would be interested to hear a legitimate argument against the current plan...” OK. Here are some legitimate thoughts and ideas: *We can not afford the Democrats plan. The country’s 10-year debt load will be $9TR and on Aug. 21, there was an increase of $2TR since the May projection. Reform excessive legal costs and excessive legal damages (aka “tort reform”) that encourage legal defensive measures. If the Democrats are serious about healthcare reform, this must be a critical part of any plan. *Fraud and abuse plan any plan must have this as a critical component. Manage out the fraud now we do not need any legislation to do this now. *Let insurance companies sell plans across state lines and let the private market and competition thrive. Keep the government out of healthcare. *Let insurance plans be portable from job to job. *There are tons of other options and ideas. We Americans you are criticizing and accusing of misleading with myths, misinformation and rhetoric, are simply tired of more government intervention, larger government plans, excessive spending and irresponsible governance. America was founded on the principles of less government, lower taxes, individual responsibility and accountability and personal freedoms and liberties. We simply want to go back to the basics of our founding fathers’ incredible insight into the greatness of America. Thanks for your consideration of my honest and fundamental disagreement with the Democrat’s sweeping plan to completely change the world’s best healthcare system. Tom Nuttle lives in Byram.