myerstownherald.com

The death of Sen. Ted Kennedy should not be used to help pass a health-care bill. We mourn Sen. Kennedy’s passing. But the debate over health care should be resolved by logically looking at what is contained in any bill that Congress considers, not by emotionalism.
Kennedy dedicated many years of his career to advocating universal health care. Under such a system, the government apparently would run the health-care system. This plan would be costly and should be avoided.
But a type of universal coverage has been a centerpiece of President Obama’s recent efforts to change health care. Only after intense public opposition at town halls and in the polls did Obama appear to back off of a demand for a public insurance option. No one should be fooled, though. Obama likely still wants a public option, and he likely is looking for a catalyst to get the public on his side. Obama might try to use Kennedy’s legacy as a plea to help his health-care plan pass.
Instead, the public opposition to Obama’s plans must continue. The vehemence of the public’s rejection of a government takeover of the health-care system already appears to have taken the Obama administration aback. The people are winning this battle, and they should not change their minds now.
What people should remain focused on in the coming weeks is cost. A health-care plan would add billions to the deficit. A ballooning deficit and debt, which will run into the trillions, should provide a warning against big government spending and the need for continuing opposition to Obama’s health-care plan. Although the government has never gone bankrupt, the limits are being pushed.
The other major concern is inflation. With the government spending so much money it does not have, more money has to be introduced into the economy, which increases the risk that prices will go up. If anything, the government should tighten its belt.
To solve the current economic crisis, instead of expanding government, costly programs should be trimmed and the printing of more money should be halted. The stimulus bill should be repealed, and no more cash giveaways should be created. All of this government money brings short-term jolts but no long-term fixes.
To restore long-term economic growth, the deficit must be eliminated, which is the opposite direction from where Obama is headed. The first major way to stop the expansion of government can be to defeat Obama’s costly and ineffective plans to reform health care. The people must continue to make their voices heard in opposition.