With respect to his proposed changes in our healthcare system, President Bush recently said, “I think people ought to be allowed to own their own healthcare account and make decisions for what’s best for them.�
This is similar to his arguments previously proposed for Social Security changes, which the American people wisely rejected out of hand.
The president’s statement summarizes what the term “compassionate conservative� means to Republicans. What he is actually saying is: “There is no place in our society for governmental systems — including progressive taxes — that promote an adequate lifestyle for all of our citizens. It’s every man for himself, and devil take the hindmost.�
This “rule of the jungle� goes against the very essence of civilized government, but it’s clothed in comforting phrases like “freedom to choose.� If the Republicans maintain control of all three branches of our national government much longer, America will continue to move away from what made us great.
— William Merit True II, Port Hueneme
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