Bad policies deserve to fail

Dear elected officials: I do not come shouting "tyranny" nor bearing a swastika (as Speaker Nancy Pelosi would have you believe). I'm not threatening to sabotage or shout you down when you hold meetings in our communities (as Sen. Harry Reid would assert). I come reminding national and state leadership that dissenting voices on government-run health care deserve to be heard. Just because I and many of my countrymen disagree with you on this issue, we remain your constituents, and you have an obligation to listen. Do not attempt to marginalize us.

You cannot demand health-care reform by some arbitrary deadline while admitting you don't have a solution. And if you truly want a national discussion, then accommodate those who disagree with you as well as those who side with you. Many of us believe that if you cannot pay for this reform bill without adding to an already ridiculous deficit and drunken-sailor spending, then you should find another cause to champion.

I didn't vote for President Obama, and he's done little so far to earn my vote if he runs for re-election. I do, however, support him as our national leader and commander-in-chief. I don't want to see him fail just for the sake of failing, but I do want to see poorly construed policies fail.

The media will champion or demonize the health-care debate depending on their agenda. Don't make policy decisions based on the media, but rather based on your constituents and your conscience.

CHAD CRAFT, Jackson