On health care, power politics, GOP inflicting harm
For a revealing snapshot of where today's Republican Party stands, it would be difficult to surpass the Saturday, Dec. 15, front page. Headline: "Entirety of Obamacare overturned".
A long desired goal of congressional Republicans and the president is now much closer to reality, thanks to the decision of a judge appointed by George W. Bush. This could be a disaster for millions of Americans, both by taking coverage away and removing safeguards that help contain the worst practices of the insurance industry. We know, based on the last attempt to repeal the ACA, that the GOP does not have a reasonable replacement ready. It makes a mockery of the idea that the party is pro-life, or pro-family.
Headline: "Republicans weaken Democratic power in Wisconsin, Michigan".
In their book "How Democracies Die," Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Zimblatt point out how, even with a well-written constitution, the disregard for norms and certain behaviors weaken democratic governments. The behavior of the GOP in the Wisconsin and Michigan legislatures provide the most recent examples of this disregard.
The GOP, in its relentless quest to acquire and hold power, is inflicting serious damage on our country.
John Perryman
St. Charles