Where do we go from here?

Opinion

Discussion

September 3, 2009

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Thu Sep 03, 2009, 10:16 PM EDT

Summer recess is almost over and Congress will return next week to Washington, D.C.

For sure, many of our lawmakers have heard an earful of ideas on health care reform. It is now time for them to get down to the hard business of compromise. That is what democracy does best, and when our government governs from the “middle” revealed in compromise, it governs best for all Americans.

Supporters on the extremes of each side will not budge very much. Government insurance for all the “poor” no matter the cost or status quo, with no real change, will dominate on the wings. Somewhere, and we are not sure where it is, there is a middle ground.

No doubt the thousand-page proposal generated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others, which no one appears to have read, will be a starting point for the Democrats.

The Republicans need to write their own position to counter. Both proposals should be far less than 1,000 pages and be readable and understandable by all, most of all by the public. We should be able to read it and decide for ourselves.

Each proposal should come with a firm dollar cost to the federal treasury. No gimmicks, no voodoo mathematics. Just tell us what it will cost each year for the next 10 years. One number will probably be high, and the other lower.

Then put the two proposals on the table for debate. That is the way compromise is achieved. Debate it, modify it, move it around, consider costs and benefits, and do it all with absolute transparency. It may take a while, as compromise usually does.

Then produce a compromise bill, along with the total cost to the taxpayer.

Here is the clincher: Find cuts in other government programs (nothing is “off the table” or “off budget”) to pay for a revenue-neutral proposal. We implement the reform that we can afford and move on.

That is what our lawmakers are elected and paid to do — govern in the best interests of all Americans. Compromise has always pointed that direction in the past. Let’s do it NOW.

— The Joplin (Mo.) Globe

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

Forever thankful
Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday to remember those who have died while serving our country.

Memorial Day officially

May 26, 2012
Cheers and Jeers - Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thanks for your kindness

Terry Siegrist, a paralegal in Salina, Kan., sends this Cheer:

“The family of the late Esther Sprinkle wishes to send our heartfelt thanks to all who gave so generously of their kindness and sympathy in the death of our beloved mother and grandmother. We especially want to thank those who visited us at the funeral home and sent flowers, cards, memorials or food.

May 25, 2012
USPS scales back plans
The issue: Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open.

Our view: Agency deserves credit for listening to the concerns of customers.

May 25, 2012
Sign change is overdue
A colleague of ours years ago said Indiana lawmakers should change the state motto to “We’ll Get Around to It.” His observation is both funny and sad.

May 23, 2012 1 Story
Tips on flag etiquette
Monday is Memorial Day – set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives in this nation’s wars. Lots of folks fly the flag every day as a show of patriotism, but what many might not know is that there are specific rules outlined in the U.S. Flag Code concerning its display.

May 21, 2012
Cheers & Jeers - Saturday, May 19, 2012
Carriers collect 19 tons of food

Brian S. Kidwell of Branch 533 of the letter carriers union sends this Cheer:

May 19, 2012
Walk a lap, fight cancer
Before you read any farther, stop for a second and think about what this one word means to you: cancer.

May 18, 2012
Program eyes troubled kids
If you know a teenager who has gotten off track, Elissa Andersen might be just the person to call.

May 16, 2012
Editorial - May 15, 2012: Hard work still pays
The issue: The Class of 2012.

Our view: Congratulations on your achievement, graduating high school seniors, and remember to thank those who helped you along the way to success.

May 15, 2012
de la Bastide: Indiana, the nation lose true statesman
During his 36 years in the U.S. Senate, Richard Lugar was noted for his ability to compro-mise when it came to legislation impacting the nation, and as a statesman when it came to foreign policy issues.

May 15, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Where do we go from here?

Site Map

Contact Us