Republican brother-in-law

[HelenWheels]

He made my day. I have a letter in the local paper supporting health care reform and the public option. My BIL of 50 plus years called me and told me he really liked my letter and agreed with what I said. He also discussed this with his friend (I think he's also repuke) and said his friend agreed with me. I was almost speechless. He laughed and said, "We finally agree on something." Gosh, this made me feel good.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. No kidding.

Moments like that don't happen very often!

:fistbump:

[KT2000]

2. Yeah!

I bet you both feel pretty good about that!

[Nitrogenica]

3. What was the text of your letter?

[HelenWheels]

7. Scared Americans

I asked why Americans are so afraid. I went into how we had to fight for paid vacation, 5 day work week, overtime pay and we got it only after workers took on employers. Now we have to struggle to get health care. I said we could use Medicare as an example as it rules out pre-existing conditions, is portable and can be combined with a private supplementary insurance. I told how fear is fueled by lies paid for by the hospital, pharmaceutical, insurance companies and big business. We could pay for it if we cancel the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans, take away the cap on SS payroll tax and extend it to all wages, tax unearned income (i.e. Capital gains), and stop pouring billions into wars without end. Said it is shameful the US ranks 37th in health care quality.
Our online newspaper has recorded 60 hits supporting and demeaning my letter with about 3/4ths supporting me.

[HelenWheels]

11. Check out the comments section after the letter

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20091020/WDH06/910200302/1638/LETTER--Don-t-fear-health-care-reforms

EDITOR: Why are Americans so afraid? Most of the changes that have improved Americans' lives have come after huge struggles. The five day work-week, paid vacation and overtime pay all were instituted after long fights between the working man and the employer. Workers hesitated to push for these changes as they were afraid their employer would take their jobs.

Now we have the struggle to provide health care for all by including a public option in health care reform. But again we have those who are afraid. The cause for this fear is fueled by lies paid for by the hospital, pharmaceutical and insurance industries, and big business who are concerned with money, not your health.

It's time Americans put aside their fears and choose what is best for them. A public option could be based on Medicare which is portable, does not exclude for prior conditions, and can be combined with a private supplementary plan. We could pay for this if we cancel the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest of all Americans, take away the cap on Social Security payroll tax, and extend it to all wages, tax unearned income (i.e capital gains), and stop pouring billions into wars without end.

I think it's time we caught up with the rest of the industrialized world that has universal health coverage. It's shameful the U.S. ranks 37th in quality health care according to the World Health Organization. Don't be afraid, it's your health.

[crim son]

A happy story!

Thanks for sharing.

[Ilsa]

4. Do you mind showing us your letter? nt

[HelenWheels]

8. Is the condensation of letter enough?

If you want the entire letter I can do it but I have listed the important points.

[Ilsa]

13. I posted before you added your condensed letter. Thanks! Great job! nt

[HopeHoops]

5. I have one of those

He's not bright enough to be enlightened. I just nod and ignore him.

[Warpy]

6. The righties who are basically decent people

and who aren't dimwits who can only parrot the stuff they hear on right wing hate radio without being capable of thinking any of it through are usually reachable on some level.

Whatever makes them righties will make them basically wrong about how the world works, but decent people get to be wrong.

Parrots need to be fed crackers and blankets put over their cages. They're just not worth the effort conversation takes.

[JimWis]

9. Your letter is excellent, based on your condensed version. Well

written and good points. Thanks for sharing the story.

[HelenWheels]

10. You are most welcome

[jaysunb]

12. Nice

liked the blog too.

[Ardent15]

14. If only my Republican relatives were like your brother-in-law...

nt