Don't vote in fear

What price is glory? Every few days a shiny new piece of over-sized mail arrives telling me to reject anybody or anything having to do with healthcare reform. Reject it without asking if or how it will benefit my family. Just simply believe what it says and dismiss the entire issue out of hand. The airwaves are clouded up the same way. Lots of money for media spots trying to help make up our minds for us. Never mind why it’s just no good and that’s that.

I also get a notice from the health insurance company this time every year saying my premium is going up another $100, again not stating why and now making it cost more than our home mortgage.

Facts like these should make just about anybody want to know more about healthcare reform. If the shiny mail wants you to fear change what’s the difference between that and the reality of the cost and limits of insurance I’m already paying for?

Few would argue that things are not working right such as they are now but how many of us have lost a family member due to no or inadequate care?

This is a time when we have to stick together while special interests are trying to pull us apart.

Remember the polio vaccine? That was a government program that I wouldn’t call a handout or bailout. It was a basic right where millions of lives were saved.

Was that worth the cost? There are many more breakthroughs on the way but they might never get here if we give in to fear tactics like the shiny mail wants.

So I’m simply asking you to make up your mind for yourself before you punch the ballot in fear. We all would be a lot healthier without it.

Dan Sullivan,

Livingston