Choices haven’t killed private industries

Some say that a public option for health insurance will kill private insurance companies, but history proves them wrong.

Has the postal service killed the private delivery system? No. Other companies thrive, carrying packages and documents and offering services the postal service doesn't. You, the consumer, have a choice. Take the option you prefer.

How about public schools? They're free, yet private and parochial schools still thrive. And look at transportation. Local governments subsidize public bus service, commuter trains, subways, ferries and airports. But you're free to choose a taxi, or even hire a limousine with chauffeur if you want. Wherever you go, you'll be driving on public roads, maintained with tax dollars.

Libraries offer you a place to borrow books, movies and music for free, but that hasn't pushed Barnes & Noble or Amazon out of business, and private companies like Netflix and iTunes are more popular than ever.

Government options are just that: choices. You're not forced to use any of them but for people who can't afford private schools or limousines, they're thankful they have a public option, and it's not killing private industry.

Donald J. Bata

Marion