Democratic process not followed
Published on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 by Patricia MirandaRead More Voices
Editor,
In response to the Letter to the Editor from Nancy B. Miller in 3/25 issue of The Outlook:
We are all Americans living in a two-party democratic society with checks and balances built into our government "for the people by the people" to prevent the abuse of absolute power by one division of government. The Republican Party is part of that equation and has a right not to be spoon fed a 2700-page law that we are only aware of a few provisions. The method of how the reform was achieved is of concern combined with the content of the legislation because the democratic process is being threatened.
What I experienced through this process was the sifting away of our democratic government. There have been in history other very persuasive, charismatic leaders and legislators who assumed their view of the world should be accepted without question and resulted in historical tragedy. Wake up fellow Americans and protect your democracy and your freedoms. Blaming, name-calling, violence and not listening to each other accomplishes nothing. This country is a United States of America, keep it that way.
The majority of citizens would be in favor of Health Reform, which this is not, this is insurance reform. Insurance companies and policies need to be evaluated but in the context that they are part of our marketplace and contribute to our economy, not to be controlled or eliminated so the federal government can provide our only option. The Republican Party is in favor of health coverage for all. The problem is this health bill, that we do not know the content, is law with a penalty to all who do not obey its provisions and yet all those provisions are not easily identifiable just the ones exposed in TV ads to appease the questioning public. Promises were made and promises were broken.
Medicare was not to be touched, however, I depend on my Medicare Advantage Plan and have serious health issues and with this "reform" I will lose benefits. The fingers can be pointed in any direction, even to the controlling party using this reform as a "historical moment" to increase the popularity of the President and his party but not to the benefit of the majority of Americans. What was the big hurry? Polls? Elections? Where was the promised transparency?
The gavel can fall, the pen can meet paper to write the law but until both parties respect each other, listen to the people and each other, and trade the political process for the democratic process, our chance for union is in jeopardy, and in greater jeopardy is our survival as a democratic country experiencing all the freedoms that our forefathers and the brave men and women fight to preserve for us, sacrificing their needs on a daily basis so we can continue voicing our choices. Do not choose to quiet the voice of the democratic process.
Patricia Miranda, R.N.
Marysville
In response to the Letter to the Editor from Nancy B. Miller in 3/25 issue of The Outlook:
We are all Americans living in a two-party democratic society with checks and balances built into our government "for the people by the people" to prevent the abuse of absolute power by one division of government. The Republican Party is part of that equation and has a right not to be spoon fed a 2700-page law that we are only aware of a few provisions. The method of how the reform was achieved is of concern combined with the content of the legislation because the democratic process is being threatened.
What I experienced through this process was the sifting away of our democratic government. There have been in history other very persuasive, charismatic leaders and legislators who assumed their view of the world should be accepted without question and resulted in historical tragedy. Wake up fellow Americans and protect your democracy and your freedoms. Blaming, name-calling, violence and not listening to each other accomplishes nothing. This country is a United States of America, keep it that way.
The majority of citizens would be in favor of Health Reform, which this is not, this is insurance reform. Insurance companies and policies need to be evaluated but in the context that they are part of our marketplace and contribute to our economy, not to be controlled or eliminated so the federal government can provide our only option. The Republican Party is in favor of health coverage for all. The problem is this health bill, that we do not know the content, is law with a penalty to all who do not obey its provisions and yet all those provisions are not easily identifiable just the ones exposed in TV ads to appease the questioning public. Promises were made and promises were broken.
Medicare was not to be touched, however, I depend on my Medicare Advantage Plan and have serious health issues and with this "reform" I will lose benefits. The fingers can be pointed in any direction, even to the controlling party using this reform as a "historical moment" to increase the popularity of the President and his party but not to the benefit of the majority of Americans. What was the big hurry? Polls? Elections? Where was the promised transparency?
The gavel can fall, the pen can meet paper to write the law but until both parties respect each other, listen to the people and each other, and trade the political process for the democratic process, our chance for union is in jeopardy, and in greater jeopardy is our survival as a democratic country experiencing all the freedoms that our forefathers and the brave men and women fight to preserve for us, sacrificing their needs on a daily basis so we can continue voicing our choices. Do not choose to quiet the voice of the democratic process.
Patricia Miranda, R.N.
Marysville
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