You can choose to refuse socialized programs

When I think about the proposed health care reform, I recall that, years ago, Republican candidates for office would argue for the repeal of Social Security.

In fact, just after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Social Security into law, Republicans proclaimed that the first check to be issued by the Social Security Administration would bounce. Wrong. In fact, there has never been a default payment made by the Social Security Administration.

It does seem hypocritical to grab the money if you so vehemently detest the program. Why not just return the checks as your form of protest?

Later, President Lyndon Johnson was hung in effigy for his leadership in the passing of Medicare and Medicaid. Your godlike President Ronald Reagan and “little” George, President George W. Bush, tried their best to derail Medicare and Medicaid as socialized government interference in people’s private rights.

If you are so diabolically opposed to socialized government involvement in your health care, then just refuse to accept Medicare or Medicaid benefits. You do have the choice, because this is still America. God bless America.

It seems that Republicans are so strong and healthy and even self-righteous that they never envision the need for these programs. They shout them down as charities for the weak, the lame, the indigent and, of course, Democrats.

For too long, the American people have been in need of drastic health care reform. If this health care bill does not pass, then I predict that at least a third of our people will have no health benefits within 10 years. Emergency rooms will be forced to close and doctors, clinics and hospitals will administer to only “cash-in-advance” patients.

You have the opportunity now to greatly improve your health care options. Call your senators if you want the guarantee of better health care.

Bob Parrott

Waynesboro