re:  Showdown:  Congressional Democrats should stand tall and back health care reform

In encouraging Democrats to "stand tall" and pass the health care "reform" bill — even as polls show that the public doesn't like the plan and Democrats are likely to pay for such a vote with their jobs in November — the Chronicle editorialists present a false choice.  The choice isn't simply between "doing nothing" or implementing a government-centric plan that raises taxes (in a still-fragile economic condition — ask Herbert Hoover how that worked out for him) and imposes new fines, mandates, and prohibitions that the Congressional Budget Office says will raise the cost of premiums and that includes provisions of dubious Constitutionality, like the "individual mandate".

Another choice exists:  Congress could instead implement true reform by removing government-enforced obstacles to a competitive market for health care insurance.  Prohibitions against group plans and buying across state lines not only obstructs competition, but keeps people from banding together voluntarily to increase their leverage in buying health insurance — particularly those with "pre-existing conditions".  Providing individuals with the same tax benefits for health insurance that businesses and corporations enjoy would further increase competition, while simultaneously making health insurance portable and helping the self-employed and contract employees.

The choice is not, as the Chronicle and President Obama claim, between "doing nothing" versus enacting a Big Government boondoggle.  Another option exists, one that empowers individuals and families instead of politicians and bureaucrats and doesn't involve cynical "Cornhusker kickbacks" and other payoffs plucked from the paychecks of American taxpayers.  Unfortunately, that option isn't up for consideration.

Sincerely,
Dave Smith
Houston, TX