Health care is not the issue for most in the U.S. Congress. The issue for Republicans is to stop President Obama in his tracks on his first major legislation, no matter that many Americans will die for lack of adequate health care. The issue for many Democrats is to pass a bill, any bill, even one that the health insurance industry and the drug companies purchased from Max Baucus for millions of dollars.

The world cannot understand why so many Americans are afraid of a government health care plan. The issue for many Americans is an irrational fear that the government will “dictate” their health care. In fact, their current health care is dictated by insurance and pharmaceutical companies for their own profits. Americans love Medicare, but don’t seem to be able to grasp the fact that it is a government program.

Rea Knight

Helena