GOP health care rally cry: 'Fix it.'

Most Republicans seem to be unhappy with the new health care reform package that was signed into law. They all seem to be uniting under the common goal and slogan of "repeal and replace."

In my opinion, a much more attainable goal, as well as slogan, would be "fix it." The Republican Party could do very well this November. It is very possible that it could win back one or both Houses of Congress. However, it is pretty much impossible for it to attain a veto-proof two-thirds majority in both Houses of Congress that could override a certain veto of any repeal by President Obama. That would mean that the earliest that the current health care reform law could be successfully repealed would be after January, 2013 (assuming a new Republican president).

Also, the more time that passes, the harder it will be to repeal. That will be especially true if Americans will have already been paying increased taxes for three years, while seeing very few benefits. Perhaps, if the Republicans regain control of at least one of the Houses of Congress this year they can convince President Obama to agree to some significant changes to the law.

I don't think it is realistic to expect him to totally scrap it. He would never be renominated, much less re-elected if he signed a repeal. However, he might very well find it in his interest to at least listen to Republican ideas on how to fix health care reform, if he wishes to have a chance for re-election.

Dan Blackburn

Lombard