Some government regulation needed

I wonder why there is such anti-government rhetoric. Without the government, how would we know what publicly traded companies are doing (SEC)?, know our food is safe (FDA), ensure a healthy, productive nation (WIC, Medicaid, Medicare, student financial aid and strong public schools), know that states have the ability to protect consumers (strong attorney general offices that are often the only line of defense against private sector zealousness).

I don’t believe that the vindictiveness, mostly from the GOP is prudent or becoming. Were we not recently told to respect the (previous) president come what may? I don’t believe that the private sector wants to police itself. If they didn’t behave in such a manner, it could be argued that the significant demand for a modicum of regulation since 1929 would not have been present.

While Democrats haven’t been as prudent as they could’ve been regarding how the Health Care Reform and/or Dodd-Frank legislation were initiated, I’m in complete agreement with the need for both. Also, I was disappointed to not have seen any alternative from the GOP. Tort reform and buying health insurance across state lines won’t correct the current system which is in need of revision. Further, purchasing health insurance across state lines makes it difficult for the aforementioned state attorneys general to enforce state-specific laws.

Finally, let’s look at what our congressional leaders have done when not in recess: Legislation to ensure that our national motto does not change (was it in danger of being edited?), A hearing on radical Islam. (Can we expect hearings on somewhat radical, fundamentalist Christians or are we solely going after smaller faiths?)

Marc Feldstein

Grayslake