Pass public option or put job on the line

In 2006, the people spoke. George Bush referred to it as "a thumping." It certainly spoke to how the American people felt about how things were being handled in Washington. In 2008, that same voice stirred again. It sent a relatively little known candidate, a virtual newcomer, to Washington, but this time into the presidency of the United States.

The people of the United States spoke again. They are tired; tired of being afraid, tired of the same old story, tired of the same faces doing the same thing-nothing. So a new, fresh scent was in the air. It was the smell of excitement. It was exhilarating. People of every race, color, creed, ethnic background, religious affiliation, had the representation for change.

Since that time our elected representatives approached a subject fundamental and universal to all: health care.

Surely, they must know from the election results what the people want. Perhaps there is a more powerful force at work in this "Democracy". Billions of dollars have poured into D.C. to stop reform of the health care system. Campaign contributions, promises exchanged, lobbyists have blanketed Washington. Elected officials are planning to dispense with a government-run option, the only opportunity for health care for the sick (or pre-existing), the unemployed, those who cannot afford the ever-increasing premiums of the insurance companies.

Those billions of lobbyist's dollars came at the expense of patients who died while being denied, or pre-existing sick people being dropped from insurance rolls or premiums that were increased on the back of working families.

I hope that those who won their elected position with the benefit of government insurance benefits are comfortable now because, if health care is allowed to be compromised and "watered down," to be less than what Congressional members enjoy, your job performance is unacceptable and you will be fired.

Beth Kuhr

Buffalo Grove