If we put the GOP back in to office, so many gains are threatened

CONSERVATIVE Republicans want to repeal the new health-care law. They don't think government should get involved in regulating the delivery of medical care.

Most conservatives believe in the principle of small government and that individuals should take care of themselves. I used to be a conservative, but my military service, college studies in economics and devotion to my fellow citizen have made me realize that conservatism is just a poor excuse for selfishness and insensitivity.

Our American way of life was founded on the theory that although we're made up of many parts, we're one country. We all share in our strengths and in our weaknesses.

The concept of taxation is based on pooling our resources to strengthen the whole group. Conservative Republicans only want the benefits of our society to "trickle down" to the fortunate and the productive. Conservatives are uncomfortable with government spending on those who are uninsured, unemployed, disabled, unhealthy and poor.

Sure, our society will suffer from fraud and the misuse of our government taxes. And those who deceive and defraud should be held accountable and punished. But for the most part, we all benefit when our government provides services of all kinds to our citizens.

Conservative Republicans don't see a problem when their own are employed by or have a contract with government. Conservatives complain about entitlement programs, but don't have a problem when their own receive Social Security, disability payments, workers' comp, unemployment compensation, veterans pensions, government grants, G.I. Bill payments and many other forms of grants and subsidies from taxpayers.

It seems ironic that conservatives want to "take back our government" from others who need it but want to reap the benefits of government for their friends and relatives.

If Republicans regain control of Congress and the Pennsylvania House, they'll try to repeal health-care reform and many other programs helping our citizens. They'll try to repeal programs that benefit Americans who are sick or poor.

Democrats in Congress saw the inequities with our health-care-for- profit system and changed the law. Many young people from 19 to 26 who aren't fortunate to have medical insurance are able to go back on their parents' plan. But if Republicans regain control, those young people will be without insurance again.

THE NEW law prevents insurers from denying coverage to children under 19 who have existing health problems. Republicans would rather have the insurance companies earn more profits and be allowed to deny coverage to sick children.

The current law allows for patients who appeal a denial to have an outside, independent body hear their appeal. If Republicans win in November, that new rule is in danger of being terminated, which would turn the appeal back to the medical insurance companies, which have donated a lot of money to GOP campaigns.

If that happens, the insurance companies will win and the uninsured and the unhealthy will lose.

Why go backward? There are more than 25 industrialized countries that are healthier than America. But when Americans are healthy, they can work through any problem to get back on their feet.

Since our beginnings, we've always been able to get through tough times - a revolution, a civil war, the Great Depression, recessions and panics, two world wars and several other conflicts, national catastrophes - and we've survived. In fact, we came out of these challenges even stronger.

Don't let the Republicans scare us Americans anymore. We are better - and stronger - than that. Let's not go backward.

Rocco J. Polidoro of Springfield has been in the insurance business for 30 years. He has also served in the Army and worked for the Social Security Administration.