VA shows dangers of government health care

One of my favorite comic strips is Doonesbury. Garry Trudeau often pokes fun at the administration in Washington. From past readings of his strip, I've deduced that Mr. Trudeau generally has a liberal view on politics. It comes as a surprise to me, therefore, when the Doonesbury strip takes a position contrary to President Obama's policies.

The Sept. 27 strip is a case in point. Trudeau compares the current administration with the Nazi's. Since all good humor has an element of truth, I think we should consider the validity of the comparison. President Obama is trying to push through a health care bill that would give the federal government tyrannical control over the provision of health are. Particularly worrisome is the prospect of the government deciding who might live or die. If one considers the efforts of Nazi Germany to eliminate “undesirables,” the parallel is frightening.

We already have one program controlled by the government that dispenses medical care. It is the Veterans Affairs system. This is a necessary “evil” as what insurance company would offer health insurance to our young men and women who face bodily injury in combat? The VA has made headlines in the past. Mistreatment of veterans, facilities deteriorating to the point of being unfit for human habitation, and medical center directors pursuing personal activities on government time are a few examples.

Do we want a care system modeled on the VA?

Michael J. Schneider

West Liberty