Republicans' mindset hurts middle class

In his Dec. 8 letter, James Schmitz says that due to the high cost of the war in Afghanistan, we shouldn't think about spending any money now on health care reform here at home.

His thinking reflects the mindset of Republicans, which is that government spending is immoral and destructive and we must do everything we can to slash it to the bone, except that part of it labeled “defense.” In that area, we need to spend every cent possible even if the Pentagon can't account for billions it spends on weapons systems that don't work.

I also disagree with Republicans who think we can't afford health care reform but still want to do away with the estate tax, which would enable the heirs of millionaires and billionaires to get even richer. (The estate tax affects only estates over $3.5 million per individual or $7 million per married couple.) The middle class needs relief more than Paris Hilton and the heirs to the Walmart fortune do.

Pete Babusci

Cedar Rapids