The old expression, “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” surely applies to the strange criticism of Republican County Executive Ed Mangano in an article in this newspaper last week. The article stated:
“Mangano insisted that feedback from three hearings and public comments . . . would be incorporated into the RFP [request for proposals for the county sewer system], and that his administration has sought out environmentalists and civic associations. It is clear that Mangano intends to use this as a political weapon.”
You would think that every fair-minded person would praise the county executive for seeking environmental and community input. Seeking environmental and civic input is clearly not a “political weapon.” But apparently, some folks are so full of anti-Republican prejudice that they resort to inventing scurrilous ulterior motives for every commendable action taken by someone who happens to be Republican.
There was a similar problem with the repeated letters in this newspaper criticizing my writing about Obamacare’s unconstitutionality, flaws and unpopularity. Instead of debating the merits of my article, a frequent letter writer charged that my article was a front for some sort of evil, inhumane Republican conspiracy. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course.
The many Republicans and Democrats who are opposed to Obamacare are guided by constitutional and humane concerns. We’ve seen what happens in socialized systems – the interminably long waits to see a doctor and to obtain needed treatments and surgery, and the much lower chances of surviving breast and ovarian cancer and other diseases. We are concerned that Obamacare cuts $500 billion from Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and that this will adversely affect the elderly. We are concerned that Obamacare reduces people’s ability to put money into health savings accounts so that they can pay for their health care needs.
We are concerned that Obamacare forces young families first starting out in life to pay five times more than they should for health insurance – and that these young families will therefore be forced to forego other important items, many of which are health-related – including healthy food, sports programs for their children, mortgages, health clubs and their children’s educational expenses. We are concerned that Obamacare has already resulted in higher health insurance costs for everyone – and that this is making these difficult economic times even tougher for all American families. .
We appreciate the incredible advances that the medical-device industry has brought us: artificial knees and hips and legs, intraocular lenses, heart monitors, and much more. Yes, there have been some devices which have been disasters, as one letter-writer noted. As a consumer advocate, I’ll be in the first in line to do everything possible to sue and advocate to stop such items. However, the overall record is that medical devices have improved the quality and longevity of American lives immensely. Obamacare’s taxation of this industry, to the point where massive layoffs have already resulted, is not in the interest of health and humanity.
We also understand the drawbacks and ineffectiveness of huge federal bureaucracies. (Obamacare sets up over 100 federal departments and commissions, etc.) We know that Obamacare will only make the worst problem facing our health care system even worse – the expected doctor shortage. Within a few years, there are expected to be 30,000 physicians less than what is needed. And we also understand that Obamacare exempts the very people (the least among us) that it claims to help.
Decades ago, prior to a U.S. presidential election, a wise elementary school teacher told my class: “Both candidates want what is best for the country. They just have different ideas about what is best.” I hope that those people who have been writing letters to this newspaper attributing nefarious motives to Republicans will come to understand this, and will stop their unwarranted accusations. Instead, let’s debate the issues civilly and on their merits.
Elizabeth Berney, Esq.
Great Neck
