Health Care's Historic Moment

Tim Egan is a good writer who did a most comprehensive treatment of the health care debate in “Health Care’s Historic Moment” on July 15. His latest missive however entitled “Palin’s Poison” is a bit uncharacteristic for a good writer”" read his book The Worst Hard Time.”, a great work!

Tom reminds us in “Palin’s Poison” that town hall forums on healthcare, should be sharp debates on something that affects all of us, it appears obvious however that Congress, the Executive Branch and Supreme Court will have their own unique healthcare plans–a slight journalistic oversight by Tom perhaps?

Yet, to refer to Palin and most citizens as part of the “lunatic fringe”, town meetings as “mauls”, is just not reality. When Tim reminds us that the House Bill would pay for counseling for terminally ill patients and seniors over 65, mandates go unmentioned. Frankly, we refer to the House Bill because at the moment it is the only one available to the public for review.

Most of us can only read the House Bill, but those of us who have studied it are taking part in spirited debate, without being irrational, nationwide.

Our President wrote a book entitled “the Audacity of Hope,”
Yet Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers remind us of government’s limitations, the need for it to represent the people and provide for the common defense. Failing that, he reminded the people that they have the right to review governmental performance and if it is totally off track constitutionally, to do something different.

My personal phrase for today and the future is very simple in view of “audacity’s” meaning (Webster, (a) intrepid boldness (b) disregard of normal restraints ( like defying the boss). My phrase and creed to claim when defending our constitutional rights as a nation is based on, THE HOPE OF AUDACITY! rather than the audacity of hope. It fits these times far better!

Dr.Phillips