There is a great deal of controversy surrounding our government and health care right now and no matter your source of news, it is likely to be confusing. This debate has spawned a whole new series of issues however, that may be more important than we realize. No matter where you turn, a new twist makes following the real path to health care reform difficult to follow. Is the current proposal actually 550 pages or is that just a smoke screen?

Does the proposal actually omit a reference to autism coverage?

Are the citizens ready for change with so many unanswered questions?

Because some people (groups) have used the town hall meetings to ask questions about issues other than health care, we have had some of our national leaders blame Rush Limbaugh for their actions. The whole debate is being lost behind questions of freedom of speech, the right to protest the threat of government take-over of the entire health care system, and the economy.

It seems every newscaster, regular newspaper columnist, politician, medical expert, drug company spokesman and uncle Harvey has an opinion on the matter. My opinion may not matter very much with all the rhetoric floating around, but I will at least feel better if you know a little bit about it. RushLimbaugh has absolutely nothing to do with it. I don't even listen to him and I am not a Communist sympathizer, and never have been. And, I do not think we should abandon our system of government. Make some changes yes, throw it out, no. What I do believe, and this is just an opinion, is the health care issue has opened up a platform for people wanting to talk about government's failure to deal effectively with other areas of their lives and we fear government will make a mess out of health care reform if we don't get involved.

We have plenty of examples of government trying to manipulate our lives and failing at it and it is hard to believe the elected people who will be producing the laws that guide the new program can keep special interests out of the legislation.

When they "lend" billions of dollars to banks/brokerage houses/investment funds, etc.

with as little forethought and control as we saw recently it is hard to believe they will do anything different just because it is health care. Until they too are subject to the terms, costsand conditions of the legislation they produce it is unlikely to be a meaningful answer for the average person in need of help now.

I am tired of elected legislators in Washington trying to hide behind various "reasons" for the backlash they are getting at town hall meetings.

They claim people are spreading "fear" when they question publicly what the new proposals will include. It seems to be another "trust me" plea on the part of big government. They, the elected representatives, seem to fail to realize they have been guilty of "listening" to their constituents during visits to their districts, then going back to Washington and voting as the special interests and large donors want them too. Is it wrong for people to point that out when they have a sincere need to know if health care reform will be any different?

It would seem the people in Washington believe we cannot think for ourselves, cannot read and write without their help, and must helplessly watch as they continue to borrow from our children's futures. The quick passage of the second phase of the "Cash For Clunkers" program goes to show how desperate we are to produce jobs and salvage the automotive industry. It has little, if anything, to do with reducing our dependency on foreign oil, andprobably will have only shortterm benefits in the labor market and the automobile showrooms.

If the short clips shown on newscasts are in anyway an example of how some of our elected legislators feel about the voters, (such as the sarcastic comments made by Representative Barney Franks (D) Mass., and Senator Arlen Spector (D) Penn.) there is an almost insurmountable gulf between "the people" and the legislative branch of our government. From the limited coverage I have seen, these two individuals seem not to care what they say to their constituents or what tone of voice they use.

It is my opinion the health care reform issue is a major point, long overdue to be addressed and ripe for change.

However, the timing, the approach of both the President and Congress, and the haste that makes it look like it is being forced down peoples' throats, when no one can explain the details, is scary. When the executive branch of government can't rally support from its party nor can it put forth a bipartisan bill, the average people on the street are soon going to realize they are voting for the same old Congress year after year. If the voters really want change they are going to have to look for some new faces with new ideas and the hearts of servants.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 08/26/2009