Letter to the Editor:

Both sides guilty of same unspecific rhetoric

By Noah Hartsfield, senior

Published Oct. 20, 2009

First, I'm liberal. I believe health care is a right. I have a chronic illness. That all said, Mr. Eric Hobbs, I implore you, don't become another political drone. Please, check your own bias.

In this Friday's column, you make a point that is at the heart of health care: "What became clear from the debate is each side is set in its position." That is true, but what started as a fantastic point was derailed by your next sentence where you criticize Democrats for "blindly following Obama." I have yet to see a concrete proposal from Republicans on health care — only vague rhetoric similar to what you accuse Democrats of using. So check your own bias. If two groups commit the same action, both should be treated equally. Both sides are stuck in their positions (which you claim) and if one side is wrong, both are wrong.

Also, you should check your predecessor's (Marcus Bowen) columns on health care. In "Handouts aren't helping" he claims that one only deserves health care that one can afford. While that isn't "die quickly," it does say you only deserve expensive treatment if you have money, otherwise go die. True belief or not, that's in writing from a Republican.