From the Publisher — An Open Letter to Congressman LoBiondo on Obamacare

Sometimes it is very hard to be a representative, because one’s conscientious vote may cause a personal loss of political capital among the very leaders of one’s own party. Congressman, this may be such a time. Polling data suggest that the majority doesn’t favor Obamacare. In fact, knowledgeable people, including former staunch supporters of Obamacare, now even refer to it as a train wreck.
It is now understood that it will impose a substantial financial burden on American families and on employers. We know the system we have is imperfect, but Obamacare is throwing us from the frying pan into the fire.
How did this happen? We went about solving the issues of the old system in a way contrary to the American structure of government, where our elected representatives collaborate to work through issues. This bill shortcut that process. Given the magnitude of the bill, it should have been thoroughly deliberated and understood before it was voted upon
While the act is officially entitled the Affordable Care Act, it is unaffordable. Young people, in particular, will see insurance rates two or three times their current rates. Further, instead of employer plans decreasing in cost, as the president promised, they are increasing.
And it doesn’t stop there; employers are significantly financially burdened by the Act and are responding in a way which negatively impacts those least able to deal with it.
It appears the president himself did not understand what he was proposing, because he told us we would not have to give up our health care plan if we did not choose to do so. We now know that millions of people will in fact lose their current coverage.
We know the Republican leaders in the House do not want a battle with the president on defunding Obamacare, out of fear it will again push us to the brink of shutting down the government, which, it is feared, will negatively impact Republicans in the next election.
But, Mr. LoBiondo, according to the Constitution, Article I, Section 7, “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House…,” not in the White House. That means it is your job to set the budget, not the president’s. If he doesn’t like what you give him to spend, that is his problem, not yours.
This puts you in a difficult position because he uses his office to convince the people that he is right, even when he isn’t.
You did not vote for this bill. Given that you don’t believe in it, it is imperative that you employ your Constitutional duty to provide no funds for it.
The math here is causing Republican leadership to fear that the voters will be more angry about your shutting down the government than they will be happy that you defunded Obamacare. The well-being of your constituents is at stake. The right thing here is to defund it, and to let the chips fall where they fall.
Art Hall