Just try asking folks to drop Medicare

Many Americans love government-run "socialized" medicine. If you don't believe me, try asking any senior to opt out of Medicare - a health care program run by the government - and ask them to replace it with an annual tax-free allowance of $5,000 so they can shop for health insurance in the private marketplace (Sen. John McCain and other Republicans are fond of suggesting this alternative).

Then try to ask any Congressman or Senator to give up the government-run "socialized" medicine plan they are enjoying in exchange for an annual tax-free allowance of $5,000 to buy private health insurance. I am convinced that few, if any, seniors or elected politicians would give up his or her "public option" health insurance. People who are unwilling to give up their own government-run "socialized" health care and yet work to deny others access to similar coverage via a robust public option are nothing less than hypocrites. No other developed/democratic country tolerates having its citizens' lives and welfare jeopardized by the financial and political interests of the corrupt and greedy few.

Lanlan Hoo

Wheaton