Reject health care bill
To the editor:
The Congress’s shameful behavior has placed our entire democratic system in jeopardy, we have become the laughing stock of the world, and Americans everywhere have lost faith, confidence, and respect in the process and the pin -heads representing us. We were promised an end to the business as usual shenanigans in Washington and, in this health care struggle, we received not only crooked conduct, we are being asked to accept thug-like actions from the United States Congress.We were promised no more ear-marks on legislation. And, on the health care bill there are 2,000 slippery under-handed ear-marks. Shame on every senator who voted “yes” for this bill. And, especially, shame on President Obama if he signs this into law. This will be the ultimate black mark on our precious democratic system. President Obama campaigned with the promise “I will not sign bills with underhanded ear marks.” Senator Reid, Senator Ben Nelson, and, for that matter, all Congress people swear that they will protect and defend the United States of America and conduct themselves honestly and with integrity. They have acted like disgraceful, insensitive children who will do anything to achieve their selfish goals. Factually, those entrusted with leadership bear a special responsibility to uphold the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct, both publicly and privately. Those individuals need to display honesty and integrity at all times. When our highest elected officials attempt to justify disgraceful conduct by declaring “this is the way we do business in Washington” we, by accepting this, spit in the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and every patriot in history who was willing to give his life for the preservation of democracy. This great nation was never intended to rest on the Machiavellian doctrine, “the end will justify the means” is not the American way and does not trump truth. There are many things President Obama and Senator Reid need to explain to the American people but how about we start with an explanation for making a deal with Sen. Ben Nelson and giving the people in Nebraska a better Medicaid deal than all other Americans. Sen. Ben Nelson acted like a hypocritical jack-ass and was paid for his vote with our money. If I were you, Mr. President, I would not sign this bill into law.
Dick Kalfus
Cape Coral