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A healthy debate
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Published: August 2, 2009
The August recess comes at an opportune time for members of Congress — and voters.
For weeks, lawmakers have been working to hammer out legislation that would reform the American health care system and extend medical coverage to an estimated 47 million uninsured.
Democrats in the majority believe they can fix a broken system. Minority Republicans say the cure is worse than the disease.
During the August recess, lawmakers will return to their districts. Democrats who favor the plan undoubtedly will try to build support, emphasizing the need to control costs and expand coverage.
Republicans and fiscally conservative Democrats who oppose the plan will decry the costs and their fears of socialized medicine.
That's not the best use of their time. Everyone knows what they think.
Our elected officials should spend the next four weeks listening to their constituents and focusing on their needs.
Don't hold your breath waiting for Reps. Virginia Foxx and Patrick McHenry to be swayed by public opinion.
They have made their opposition to the Democratic legislation quite clear.
Foxx, as has become her custom, has taken the Republican talking points on this issue to an extreme.
She inferred that the Democratic proposal would amount to a death sentence for the elderly.
Would the congresswoman change her tune if her constituents voiced overwhelming support for the Democrats' plan?
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