Put rhetoric aside in health care debate

I wonder why it is that so many Congress people are so inclined to listen to the voices of a single lobbyist over the calls and letters of constituents who pull the levers and push out the chads every four years.

Representative Mark Kirk was one of those that sees standing on the "right" side of the health issue more important than standing on the "right side."

The big-money interests sent out-of-area people to mess up what were supposed to be community forums, but fortunately enough congressfolk saw the real picture that health expenses are ruining the country and something, some kind of reform, had to be done. They did it, but without the help of people like Mr. Kirk and those like him who decided to be for the problem rather than for the solution.

Hopefully, the final house vote and the upcoming battle in the Senate will trash can the rhetoric and work to pass a reform bill of their own, and then set about making the final compromise legislation something more than a band-aid.

Surely these people are smart enough to realize the inequity of the system as it stands now. We do need reform, but we need level heads in Washington that will work honestly in favor of the populace, not just the moneyed interests.

Claude Van Horn

Wheeling