To the editor:
Much as I respect freedom of speech, I keep wondering what the next thing our right-wing crybabies will moan about in their letters to the editor.
I write to sing the praises of socialized medicine. Social: having to do with the group (mankind) as well as the individual.
Here are numbers from my check-up at a local physician which I paid for through taxes.
Outpatient office visit for lab tests: instead of $105 ... $7.82.
One physical exam: instead of $300 ... $25.98.
Members of Congress, even those who decry socialized medicine (Republicans and Blue Dog) benefit from this same program of socialized medicine. We all, as taxpayers, provide the money to pay for care when the individual can't afford it.
There's no free ride. Doesn't it make sense for all of us to help one another without financial pain being inflicted on the unfortunate (ill) individual? And what's the secret to keeping this program affordable? Low administrative costs. Your average insurance company charges 25 percent of premium to administrative costs, whereas Social Security has 3 percent administrative costs for Medicare. And government employees don't get million dollar bonuses! Does it take a Ph.D in economics to figure that one out?
I say shame on the whining "rugged individualist" who opposes the public option. I understand the sacred value of freedom of speech, which I've enlisted to defend from those with whom our right-wing friends joyfully do business, as they export our jobs to low wage countries through multi-national corporations.
abraham s. newman
Granite Steet, Rockport
