The Two "T"s

As we all know President Obama is urging the congress to pass a health care plan that he in good conscience can sign.  Many who have been most determined to kill a single payer plan are even unwilling to accept a public plan as a choice among available private insurers.  I can only say there are two “T” words that have become sacred with demagogue politicians to strike fear into the hearts of their constituents.  The first of the “T” words is “taxes”.

It’s a given we expect to pay for goods and services we purchase from private business and even accept inevitable increases.  But hear the impassioned fearful “T” word and we hunker down and dig in our heels.  Does not the defeat of school levies all across the state come to mind ?

The second sacred “T” word is even more fearful and can express both legitimate or ulterior motives.  Our government can use this word to warn us of legitimate “terrorists” in order to spring our emotions and call us to action or they may use the same word to illegitimately label as “terrorists” those who are fighting for a cause our government disagrees with and would encourage public inaction.

But in the end the “taxes” word for our government wins the day as virtually magical since it is used to strike fear in our hearts if we ask for health care for all and a liveable income, but to wage war wherever we please in the world, no problem; trillions in debt ensues, but the “T”word becomes benign--and we borrow from China.

Buz Cormany
York Twp.