The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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March 19, 2010

Your View: Protester should give examples of claims

Richard Melarvie, Mankato

In Thursday’s Free Press, Section B Page 1, “Health bill grievances aired,” I was left with some questions about statements quoted from Steve Luther and the fairness of the protest. The first statement, “Government-run health care isn’t about health care, it is about control,” said Luther, “a retired police officer from Waseca.”

How is health care about control? And as a police officer, wasn’t control a part of Luther’s job? Without controls such as speed limits, licenses of all types, regulations and laws, our civilized society would not exist.

A “retired police officer”? Did Luther retire with health insurance? In retirement, does he have a pension? If he has health insurance, what percentage of the premium is paid by him? Is either his health insurance or pension dependent upon the collection of taxes? Because of his concern about government control and government assistance programs, will he reject Social Security and Medicare?

The next statement of concern. Luther claims to have seen first-hand what “government assistance programs have done to our people.” I would like to see some specific, first-hand examples of what he has seen and who are “our people.”

As a police officer, isn’t that a form of “government assistance” and isn’t that tax generated?

Finally, it would be interesting to know how many of those protesting the health care legislation are without health insurance.

Please be sure, I am not disagreeing or agreeing with Luther. He has, however, made some very critical statements and in order for me to determine if they are credible, this information is important.

 

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