Letter to the Editor

Open letter to Ellsworth

Sunday, March 21, 2010

To the Editor:

Dear Rep. Ellsworth,

There are many reasons why the healthcare "reform" bill, currently being pushed by the Obama Administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress should be defeated.

The bill proposes to spend nearly $1 trillion additional over 10 years, which must be borrowed from foreign entities at the expense of our nation's credit rating.

Also, the bill would allow the government to control over one-sixth of America's economy. The inarguable truth is no program based on government control and central planning has ever led to greater efficiencies and lower costs.

As State Treasurer, I am extremely concerned about the negative impact the additional taxes and regulations will have on our nation's long-term economic and global competitiveness.

The most obvious argument against this government takeover of healthcare is the simplest: Where in the U.S. Constitution is the federal government granted the power to force individual Americans to purchase a particular product (healthcare) and fine them if they don't?

Last year, I was engaged in trying to stop the Obama administration as they ignored the U.S. Constitution during the automobile bailouts. Now, the administration wishes for us to join them in the participation of this flagrant violation of the constitutional process.

In addition, it's unseemly that legislative tactics, like "deem and pass" would be condoned by President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Majority Leader Harry Reid in an effort to pass this bill, which should be a signal that this is bad legislation.

If the bill were worthy on its merits, then such tactics would not need to be employed.

I am sure you have heard from a large number of your constituents in Southwest Indiana. As one of those constituents, I urge you to vote no on this disastrous piece of legislation. You have taken great care in the past to describe yourself as a conservative. Certainly, any fair definition of the term "conservative" could not be applied to an elected official who would aid the government in centralizing to the federal authorities such power while robbing the American people of their property and rights.

Richard E. Mourdock,

State Treasurer,

Indiana