Let your voices be heard!

I try to stay away from controversy on our family blog, which generally means I don't put any political stuff on here! However, since there is so much debate going on right now and our little town is soon to be in the thick of it I feel the need to make this little post.

I am going to snitch on myself right now and let it be known that I do not support Obama's health care reform plan that is being shoved down our throats. I will be the first to admit that there are some serious problems with our current health care system. However, the government is not the answer to this problem. The purpose of the American government has never been to seize control and mandate policy that would ruin our nation. The problem with health care is not availability of care, but the cost of care. Passing legislation that would mandate coverage for all does not address the cost prohibitive problems with our current system. In order to truly make a dent the focus needs to be on tort reform. I can say that the fact I have my own professional liability insurance policy to simply work as a dental hygienist is evidence enough that frivolous lawsuits are a major concern to health care professionals. NOTHING is free! Everything comes with a price. What price are we willing to pay?

As American citizens it is our right and our duty to uphold the constitution and to make informed voting decisions. I would argue that it is the duty of our elected officials then to hear our voices and act as "we the people" would have them act. They cannot hear our voices if we do not speak. This Friday, August 14, we will have the opportunity to do just that. If you want to be heard there is going to be a town hall meeting at the Columbia Learning Center (375 S. 18th St.) here in St. Helens at 4:00pm. There are several activist groups that plan to bus people in to our small town. Don't let them!!! This is for us!!! So be there early if you want to get in and come prepared to share your views. Whether you agree with me or not is not the issue. We should be able to have open dialogue and discourse without fear of oppression. Do your research and know the issues. Granted, if our elected officials couldn't read a 1000+ page bill in 3 days, you probably can't either. But, if they could vote on it without reading it what does that say about them?