I submitted the following guest editorial/letter to the editor to many newspapers throughout the 9th CD of PA last Friday. Some may say that the media window on this story may have passed, but I believe that we Democrats allow this to occur at our own peril.
It is with great sadness and frustration that I read about the latest vote by Congressman Bill Shuster. Mr. Shuster, on Wednesday, voted against health insurance for kids. This is an unconscionable act by a man that does everything that George Bush tells him to do.
Health Insurance for children is a moral question, and Mr. Shuster voted wrong. I can think of no other pro-life issue that affects more families on a day-to-day basis than health insurance for children. And, Mr. Shuster voted against it.
Health insurance is a problem throughout the country, but it is especially a problem here. Healthcare costs are squeezing our farmers, and we continue to hemorrhage jobs in this region. It is getting to the point, where one can not pick up the paper without reading about another major employer either closing shop completely or cutting some jobs. Builders Healthcare, Westvaco, SKF, Hedstrom... People are losing their jobs, families are losing their incomes and their health insurance, and children are suffering. This is fine with Mr. Shuster because he does not feel this strain personally. He has the best health insurance in the country for him and his family through the U.S. Government. We pay for his health insurance, but he cannot find a way to fund health insurance for the children of this district. The time has come to put and end to this.
Mr. Shuster thinks that not funding health insurance for children is the way to pay for his billionaire bonuses-- those caviar cuts to taxes for those richest of Americans. Ask him, why must I pay 30% on my hard earned labor while those who are pointing and clicking their way through the stock market only pay 15% on their dividends? Is this fair? No, it is not fair. Those billionaires are benefiting by our jobs being sent overseas. They should share in the burdens. The budget of this great country should not be balanced solely on the back of its working men and women.
Not only is this not fair, it is not prudent. Study after study has shown that health insurance results in more preventive care, more illnesses treated in early stages, and much lower overall costs. Pay some now, or pay through the nose later. Mr. Shuster, I believe, is being penny wise and dollar foolish.
This issue is far from over. Funding for children’s health insurance (H.R. 976) passed the House and the Senate. It now goes to President Bush for signature. Mr. Bush has pledged to veto this bill. If the President does veto children’s health insurance funding, it will go back to Congress. Please, tell Mr. Shuster to vote for children’s health insurance.
For more information on my campaign, please check out my website http://www.tonybarr2008.com