It was a period of my life that I really want to forget, but I must not.
It was truly a low point in America’s history. Looking back, I still find it so difficult to believe that things like that really went on in “the land of the free.” It was in the 1950’s . His name was Joe McCarthy. He chaired the powerful House Un-American Activity’s Committee. A government official whose sole responsibility was to investigate anyone who he suspected to be a “subversive,” a “communist under every rock.” He exposed anyone who “dared” to disagree with any mainstream idea?
As a 10 year old, I watched in disbelief as lives and careers were ruined. Writers, teachers, filmmakers and so many others were banned. The word black-balled became an everyday expression. The Fifth Amendment’s fundamental right against self-incrimination became an admission of guilt instead of a fundamental right that today we all take for granted. Anyone who had the audacity to even think about stating non-approved or against the mainstream ideas, was brought before Congress, exposed as a traitors and humiliated. All because the First Amendment really didn’t apply to them. It’s hard to believe that this could occur in the greatest democracy on the planet. But it did and it is still going on today.
Some readers of this paper just don’t like what I have to say. According to them, disagreeing with their interpretation of current events must not be tolerated. According to one reader, even though I lived in Great Neck for 30 years, I should be be banned from this newspaper because I currently live in North Hills. According another reader, the Republican Convention was racist and I guess, since I was a Rick Santorum delegate, I must be a racist also .
According to a reader, my letters are “inaccurate,” “malicious” and “wildly false.” Yet my misnaming “the Embassy” in Libya was the only fact that was incorrect. I guess that was really a terrible misrepresentation. The list goes on and on. I have been called “anti-education,” but as a two-term president of the Great Neck North High School PTA, I devoted years of my life to bettering Great Neck’s school system. I have been called a rich, spoiled, unappreciative capitalist, even though every Wednesday afternoon, for 20 years I donated, free of charge, my professional services at LIJ Medical Center, training dental residents and treating Medicaid patients.
I have been called “ nti-teachers,” even though my wife and father were both NYC School Teachers!. I have been called anti-immigrants , even though half of my dental staff was made up of minorities. I was even called anti-Semitic, before the accuser found out that I was Jewish. These accusations are not only ludicrous but disgraceful. Be assured , they will never , in anyway, stop me from fighting for my principles and for all of our constitutionally-guaranteed rights.
Keeping all of this in mind, a reader, suggested that “my only hope” was to read Karen Rubin’s massive collection of Obama’s “accomplishments.” I guess this list of accolades should not include that it resulted in:
1- deficit-spending of over one trillion dollars in each of Obama’s four years, resulting in the greatest debt in the history of our nation;
2- four years of an almost non-existent GDP;
3- a 14 percent underemployment rate, and
4- a creation of a massive, long- term, permanent, entitlement population.
But I will examine the crowning-achievement of the Obama Administration, The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) and see if “protects” our patients and if it is indeed, “affordable.” If some of your readers will again “attack the messenger” instead of factually examining the issues, probably a comprehensive review of this program will be impossible. But I will try anyway. Please try and do not blame President Bush either.
In 2009, the cost of ObamaCare was estimated to be $850 billion dollars for the first 10 years. This year, the CBO’s new estimate is 1.87 trillion dollars . Twice the amount.
In 2009 , we were told that we would always keep our own MD. Today, if are forced to change plans , and most people will, we would lose our doctor if he or she was not on our new plan.
In 2009, we were told that ObamaCare would lower health costs. In 2011-2012 , they went up 12-15 percent.
In 2009, the president said that insurance premiums would be reduced $1,200 per family. In 2012, they were dramatically higher, resulting on average increase of $2,500.
In 2009, he said that it wasn’t government-run healthcare ! In 2012, The bill includes 127 new government agencies , running the program!
In 2009 he said that all businesses would really love it! In 2012, 1500 businesses sought and received exemption from the program and many have announced plans to circumvent it’s rules and penalties.
In 2009, we were told thst only US citizens were eligible for treatment. Now we find out that no US ID is required for medical treatment!!
In 2009, it was constitutional under the Commerce Clause ! In 2012, it wasn’t !!
In 2009 it would not raise anyone’s taxes. In 2012 we find out that the program will cost us $750 billion dollars in new taxes and fees!.
In 2009, he said it would create jobs. In 2012 unemployment rate is still incredibly low.
In 2009, he told us that Medicare would not be touched. In 2012, we find out that over $500 billion dollars would be immediately withdrawn from Medicare to pay for this new program.
In 2009, there would be no “death panels.” In 2012, “The U.S. Preventative Service Task Force” within ObamaCare ,consisting of government bureaucrats, would determine who gets treated and when.
In 2009, he told us that Catholics would be protected. In 2012 Catholic institutions must provide insurance for their employees, which pays for abortion and birth control, a clear violation of the Frst Amendment .
In 2009, we were told that the government would not financially control our medical system. In 2012, “The Independent Payment advisory Board,” within ObamaCare, determines all payments to doctors, hospitals, and medical schools.
What happened ?
Dr. Stephen Morris DDS
North Hills
