In response to Dan Rodricks column on Rep. Andy Harris and his opposition to Obamacare ("As Harris votes again for repeal, constituents get Obamacare," Feb. 5), it is one thing to point out the multitudes of people being signed up for Obamacare in the 1st District but quite another to suggest each one is "benefiting." At no point does the author mention the mandatory nature of the insurance resulting from the Affordable Care Act nor the enormous burden being forced on Americans by this terrible legislation. I expect such pandering, but I am still surprised at the voice of a Marylander not acknowledging the bleeding wallets and bank accounts of his neighbors. It is truly sad to read the words of such a demagogue and think his heart is so blind.
The ACA ties together the private insurance corporations, hospitals and the federal government into a mess of regulation and price inflation. There is no reason for insurance companies to charge less and there is no reason to expect price controls or audits to work since it is evident the lobbyists have already won. You think cleaning up is a problem after they convinced the entire Democrat party at the federal level to lie, stab, and finagle this into law? We can expect to get taken to the cleaners by our health care providers — if not through our bills, then most certainly through our taxes or through the mounting national debt created by this spending.
This is not to defend Mr. Harris, of course. That lying hound should shuffle out of Washington. I have no faith in him to deliver anything meaningful to his constituents, considering his actions. This includes especially re-electing Speaker of the House John Boehner. We need people who stand up to power, not try to jive with it.
Patrick Kniesler, Catonsville