The Day Before

Well, it's the day before a big vote on health care reform. Or is it health insurance reform? Or is it health care delivery system reform? Or is it health welfare entitlement time for millions of helpless souls, many with big screens, Mini-Coopers, Harleys, out-of-wedlock children, unaffordable children, the owner of my neighbor's house who hasn't made a mortgage payment in a year but drives a late model BMW, or most of the people on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood on a Friday night?

One of my relatives had two children out of wedlock by the time she was 20. She works hard and always has -- but says she can't afford health insurance. But she had two children out of wedlock before age 20. (HER age was 20, not the kids.) Of course she can't afford insurance if the kids want to be fed and housed. But she's a victim. (Did you recognize a little sarcasm there? Actually, I'M the victim -- and if you pay taxes YOU'RE the victim.)

Health care is available for every citizen and non-citizen. Those without insurance or mega cash might have to wait several hours before treatment, but they'll get it.

Our Emergency Rooms have turned into clinics. I encourage all to visit ERs at any time of the day or night and check out the waiting room. I will personally guarantee there will be more chronic illness (sometimes in an acute phase, but chronic nonetheless), than there will be actual emergent cases. Especially, I would urge you to check out a children's hospital ER. Report back to me, will ya?!?

Well, this morning I decided it was time to write Brad Sherman, my Congressional Representative and urge him to vote NO on this outlandish legislation which is not affordable to us, our children, our employers, and will allow thousands of small businesses to fail.

Here is a copy of my note to Brad, and please stay tuned for a response from Brad which will come in, oh.. about a month or so. (They must have extremely slow computers over there!)
__________________________________________
Congressman,
Please vote NO on the health reform bill before Congress. It's obvious the public does not want what is proposed -- blatantly obvious. Even CBS and the NYT aren't disagreeing.

First try insurance competition. What sense does it make that we can buy other insurance but not health insurance across state lines? To protect the COMPANIES? That's ludicrous. Competition would help in establishing standardization of prices and fees; go a long way towards keeping more accurate and condensed records; and eliminate the 'pre-existing' debacle but in a 'fair' manor. (I know how you like the word "fair.")

Second, tort reform. Even though most of you guys are lawyers THAT industry is the one that's out of control. Make the losers of lawsuits pay all legal expenses and watch frivolous lawsuits disappear overnight. OVERNIGHT.

Please send me a direct response with rebuttals as to why those 2 ideas in your opinion won't work and avoid sending me the letter (actually commercial) which is the response for every letter sent no matter what the issue.

Thanks, Brad.

Jim Locke