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County 'sick' over health care reform
By Marthe Stinton, mstinton@acnpapers.com
Monday night, the Collin County commissioners joined Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's fight against the federal health care reform bill.
In a standing-room-only meeting, the Collin County Commissioner's Court unanimously passed a resolution in support of the attorney general and Texas Legislature in opposition to federal health care reform. The resolution was passed despite numerous comments from Collin County residents asking whether the issue should be discussed at the commissioner's court level.
"I do want to respond to some comments that we have heard multiple times, that this is not local county business. This is indeed," said Keith Self, county judge. "It will have a profound impact on your county government regardless of what happens with it. That's why it's local government. It is going to change the way we do business. This has a profound impact on us, and it's an important issue."
The resolution, which was fashioned by commissioner Matt Shaheen, said "the Commissioners Court believes Texas residents have the right to choose their own health insurance plan freely without imposition or threat of penalties from federal or state government."
The resolution continues to say that the commissioner's court "asserts the health care reform legislation is wrong for Texas because it would result in health care rationing, higher taxes, massive increases in federal and state spending and increased health care bureaucracy."
Collin County Democratic Chairman Shawn Stevens read Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution, reminding listeners what powers Congress has.
"I am a lawyer, but you don't have to be one to read the plain English of the United States Constitution," Stevens said. "Congress does have the power to impose a tax on those folks who choose not to carry health insurance; what is going on at this point is political grandstanding because the way this was passed. The folks on the other side lost the votes; they lost the election and now they are trying to make up for it in other ways by creating the political storm. The Constitution seems pretty clear to me that Congress had the power to do this; it doesn't make sense to see this resolution."
When asked about Stevens' accusation of political grandstanding, Commissioner Shaheen said, "It's just not true."
"It's a very serious subject that needs to be addressed," Shaheen said. "I would expect more from the (Collin County) Democratic Party chairman than a comment like that."
Shaheen also said that the resolution, signed by the four commissioners who were present at the meeting, "is in the mail today on its way down to the governor, attorney general and legislators so that they know this county is behind his (Abbott's) efforts."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
TechTnT wrote on Apr 30, 2010 1:08 PM:
" Maybe Mr. Shawn Stevens can show us in the Constitution where it entitles the government to mandate us to purchase anything?... what about the constitutional decisions based on "right to privacy"?
Oh... and per the comment above how it will "only help each and every one of us". How is it living in the land of Unicorns and rainbows? "
Oh... and per the comment above how it will "only help each and every one of us". How is it living in the land of Unicorns and rainbows? "
jeffb wrote on Apr 30, 2010 1:08 PM:
" "Are YOU kidding me?" while I agree that 80 people is not a lot, i can tell you "health care reform" here is BAD!!!!
My father was a career soldier and we did two tours in Germany (a country with a Socialist Government, and national health care). Seeing what happens there,I can tell you that this "health reform" is a tremendously BAD idea!!!!
There is a reason why people come from around the world to America for health care.
For example, Canada has "National health care" and if you have a form of cancer there, you are 10-15% less likely to survive. Numbers don't lie........
Obama care summed up looks like this: the efficiency of the DMV and compassion of the IRS, all government. "
My father was a career soldier and we did two tours in Germany (a country with a Socialist Government, and national health care). Seeing what happens there,I can tell you that this "health reform" is a tremendously BAD idea!!!!
There is a reason why people come from around the world to America for health care.
For example, Canada has "National health care" and if you have a form of cancer there, you are 10-15% less likely to survive. Numbers don't lie........
Obama care summed up looks like this: the efficiency of the DMV and compassion of the IRS, all government. "
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It's hard for me to believe that the far Right will not leave this alone. If you actually take the time to read the whole health care bill, you will find that it will only help each and every one of us.
Please people, don't let people like Greg Abbott and Keith Self scare you, please. Do your own research and then decide for yourself. I think you will be surprised with just how much this bill takes us in the right direction. "