Harkin distancing himself from ACA

To the editor:

The Nov. 30 edition of The Gazette carried 3 1/2 pages dedicated to retiring Sen. Tom Harkin's 'legacy.” While writer James Q. Lynch extolled Sen. Harkin's reputation as a champion for the disabled, where was the other side of Harkin's 'legacy” as a party hack known for his bombastic political statements?

For example, in January 1999 he said 'The Republican case is a pile of dung.” President Bill Clinton finally admitted he had improper relations with a 19-year-old intern and was subsequently impeached, found guilty of perjury and lost his Arkansas law license.

In September 2013 he said 'We are at one of the most dangerous points (the grass roots Tea Party movement) in our history right now. Every bit as dangerous as the break up of the Union before the Civil War.” Apparently he conveniently forgot among other things World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Kennedy and King assassinations, and Sept. 11, 2001.

Now, as one of the primary architects and staunch supporters of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), he's backing away from it stating perhaps it should have either been done correctly or not at all. He knows what is coming and is rapidly distancing himself from the impending disaster. Legacy, indeed.

Joe Gantner

Cedar Rapids