The Beauty Of Doing The Right Thing

U.S. Representative Joe Wilson stated, "Truth is a powerful thing."

Truth is a powerful thing. But will our elected representatives look at the truth and make a comprehensive health care plan for all Americans, first?

Many have forgiven and forgotten the outburst during a speech last month to Congress. We all wanted to know what this was really all about. How could this word "lie" come forth at such a time as that and why?

We usually can remain silent until we know deep down within our spirit, that we cannot agree with what is being proposed. You lay everything on the line because of who you are; knowing you will not have any peace. In this particular incident, knowing how can I face my family and constituents of this country, if I do not speak out?

On one hand I understood why this outburst took place and on another hand, I could not understand why others did not feel this outrage about something so vitally important to this health care initiative for Americans, that we were willing to sweep it under the “if they don’t ask, we won’t tell” mindset.

So, I went like others to the Center for Immigration Studies and read their Memorandum dated September 2009 and read what was written "Illegal Immigrants and HR 3200 Estimate of Potential Costs to Taxpayers."

It stated: "based on the analysis of Census data, they estimate that there are 6.6 million uninsured illegal immigrants in the United States who could be covered by the new health care reform bill (H.R. 3200). Even though H.R. 3200 states that illegal immigrants are not eligible for the proposed taxpayer-funded affordable premium credits, there is nothing in the bill to enforce this. An amendment was defeated in committee that would have required the use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) program, used by almost all other means-tested programs of this kind."

It further stated:

* "We estimate the current cost of treating uninsured illegal immigrants at all levels of government to be $4.3 billion a year, primarily at emergency rooms and free clinics."

* Illegal immigrants will be required to have health insurance, as would citizen and legal immigrants (green card holders). They would have to meet the substantial presence test... would be required to obtain health insurance.

* Substantial presence is defined as having been in the United States for at least 31 days during the current year and previous two years. No mention is made of legal status in the legislation for determining substantial presence."

* HR 3200 does not contain any restrictions on non-citizens - whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently - participating in the Exchange.

Every State knows the companies which hires illegal immigrants. As the government wants to propose a penalty on Americans who refuse to buy coverage under H.R. 3200, these States must propose a penalty to companies who do not provide health care coverage to their undocumented workers.

Inquiring minds would like to know: Why should there be surtax on high-income Americans to pay for this health care bill? Why should States raise revenue on the people who are “obese” and now “smokers’ and not on the companies?

And furthermore, we all know there is a pending health care crisis in America medically and financially. If we do not target the tobacco industry which causes 6 out of 8 chronic diseases to provide a benefits assistance program for their customers (43.3 million smokers); there is going to be a shortfall to meeting the $900 billion budget over 10 years to cover H.R. 3200. This is what our lawmakers are projecting for this health care reform initiative and still have not decided on how to pay for this legislation.

The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars lobbying, targeting and marketing their products to certain demographics; with no thought of the harmful effects of their products and the costs to families and States to keep their customers healthy and alive. The sad thing about all of this, everyone knows it but refuses to address it.

As Americans we can ask our elected representatives to pass The Tobacco Accountability Act with a stated purpose, “the tobacco industry must be held accountable for the tobacco-related diseases, provide early screening, a health insurance benefits program and supplemental premium assistance for every smoker (man, woman, boy or girl) afflicted with a tobacco-related disease. They must subsidize all educational programs from elementary to college on the harmful effects of their products through smoking firsthand or from secondhand smoke.”

We cannot compromise in any area of this health care reform initiative and load this bill with amendments upon amendments and at the end; Americans are sold a heavy laden bill of unmet promises to everyone except the American people. Every amendment should be spelled out to how it is going to benefit Americans.

Once again, the lobbyists, power elite and money brokers are willing to "hoodwink" the American people and it is wrong. Yes, they have positioned the drugmakers, laboratories and hospitals to reap the financial benefits of this health care reform initiative.

Time is running out. We must hold every industry accountable that is responsible for our pending health care crisis; no matter how this health care reform initiative is underwritten. Otherwise, we’re kidding ourselves.

The beauty of doing the right thing is that we have to put God first, and then America and every American, regardless of what others may say. If we do not take care of America; who will eventually own America; especially if we have to go to foreign nations once again to underwrite this health care reform initiative with a ROI.

At the end of the day, the same people who orchestrated the economic debacle are going to make a guaranteed fortune. Why? Greed. We have forgotten Whose bodies they are. We must put a stop to every lie that makes us compromise our laws, rights and our soul of being an American.

Dr. Mike Murdock wrote about truth, "Truth is the most powerful thing on earth because it is the only thing that cannot be changed."

I am only a voice in the wilderness for such a time as this for The Tobacco Accountability Act.


For His Glory,


Valerie Foy


A seed for America.