Health-care reform shouldn't be rushed

President Obama and some in Congress are trying rush and force through their idea of the best solution for proposed health care programs without the necessary time for others in government and the general public to better understand these program, their cost and their effectiveness.

There is a story in the Bible relating a situation where a mob was ready to assault some of the followers of Jesus. An accepted wise man among them, though unlikely a believer, used common sense and reasoned that the mob should leave the others alone, because if their message was not correct, it would die on its own, but if the message was true, there was nothing they could do to stop it. This principle seems applicable to our present dilemma.

If President Obama and his supporters succeed in pushing these programs through without us and the other government bodies understanding what we are doing to solve this serious problem, there will be partisan bickering countless millions spent arguing this for months, making the programs delayed and ineffective.

However, if the president allows a proper and timely educational process to proceed, and it shows his plan to be good, he will win the support necessary to pas his programs with a minimum of partisan bickering and unnecessary expense, resulting in greater acceptance and, therefore, more effective results. That seems to be a win-win situation, leaving many to question the aggressive opposition to such a reasonable solution.

The axiom "Methinks he doth protest too much," which is often mentioned when an accused person goes beyond reasonable lengths to profess his innocence, perhaps could in this case become "Methinks he doth push too hard."

It is true that many contradictory facts are being advanced, making a clear picture difficult. But some of the circumstances are so questionable that we must take a closer look.

One main reason for this is the system in which most of put our trust. We elect officials whom we trust to represent our best interests. Even President Obama, who has assured us that this is best for us, admitted he did not know some of the provisions. I know we cannot expect him to read all the details, but if he doesn't know and many of our elected officials admit they do not know, how can we so sure this is the best plan?

Of course, elected officials have a different and much better health care plan, which, as one official reportedly told a citizen, we can have also: "Just go to work for the government." I doubt most of us view this as a laughing matter, if that was his intent. If he was serious, it is even more disturbing.

It is obvious there is no easy solution to all this, but the impact it will have on us is certainly great enough to give adequate time for the right people to read and discuss the seriousness of the results and protect us from this becoming just another problem, as has been the case so many times in the past. I suggest we encourage our elected officials to insist upon it.

Ray Duffey is a Cape Girardeau resident.