I have only two objections to the new health care law, so recently pushed through Congress by President Obama; the means and the end.

My objection to the means: it was an example of government secrecy unparalleled in any issue of public importance over the last 30 years. It would make the back room deal-makers of the last century proud to see their legislative descendants cutting deals, lying, obfuscating and selling their souls to the highest bidder. If this is an example of the transparency and accountability promised us by our current leaders, then it’s time for new leaders.

My objection to the end: we have dramatically expanded in our country the entitlement mindset that is currently bankrupting Europe and has already put us on the verge of economic disaster. At a time when our established social programs are foundering due to unrealistic expectations and a rapidly changing demographic, we simply cannot afford such a massive new expense. Although Congress has cheerfully declared that the new bill will actually put money into the treasury, rather than take it out, I confidently predict the opposite. In this area, as in other areas of critical importance (Social Security, Defense, Medicare, environmental regulation, energy policy and financial regulation and reform), Congress has demonstrated itself to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

The new plan, with all its penny-pinching measures, will not improve health care in America, will result in rationing, will not improve access to health care (access is currently not much of an issue – the issue is the cost), and will not particularly help the poorest of Americans, who already get free health care through hospital emergency rooms.

What will happen, though, is that insurance premiums will continue to rise for the middle class. We, the working, productive people of the nation, will carry on our backs the cost of those who cannot or will not pay their own way. And I can tell you right now, that’s gonna hurt.

So here’s the prediction: higher costs, fewer jobs, more restricted access and a huge new government debt. Do you want to bring responsible government back to America? I need your help.

There weren’t too many people around as I walked along Washington Street from the Metro station. I got to the corner of 8th street at 4pm and about a half dozen people with signs were milling around outside the Renaissance Grand hotel. I walked south on 8th street, talked with a few people and got checked out by the Secret Service before returning to Washington Street, where the action seemed to be. I talked with some ladies demanding health care now before I crossed the street to see what was happening on the other side. By this time the crowd had grown considerably (though I don’t think it ever got larger than a few hundred) and I had little difficulty engaging people. I bumped into Candice Britton, another responsible Democrat, and a number of others I’ve seen around.

 My message is simple: we need a social safety net, we need quality education for all of our children and we need a strong military that’s alert and ready to defend our nation against the enemies we will face in the 21st century. Most important of all, we need to insure these vital areas of our national policy are monetarily sustainable; that they continue to be properly funded in a way that will not break the backs of the working people of America. Businesses and individuals across the nation are coping with reduced income by cutting spending and looking for new revenue (a second job, longer hours, new product introductions); the Federal government needs to do the same. Instead of spending less money, though, Washington is spending more, leading many of us to suspect that they just don’t understand the problem.

Congress has been deficit spending for so long that there are many people who think it can go on forever without ever having to pay it off. To many people our national debt is not even a concern (this seems to include some members of Congress). President Obama, in his speech in St. Charles, referred to this when he said,

“Washington is a place where tax dollars are often treated like Monopoly money, where waste – even billions of dollars in waste – is accepted as the price of doing business.”

Treasury Secretary Geithner, that same day, called the budget deficit “unsustainable” and according to the BBC, other analysts labeled the latest figures “frightening.”

Ironic, then, that one of the people I spoke to, there in the crowd downtown, told me I wasn’t a “true Democrat” but rather a “bean counter.”  Apparently he thinks unsustainable and frightening are in line with the principles of the Democratic party!

Just for the record, though, I don’t. Spending money we don’t have is at the top of my list of things not to do. Unsustainable government programs are something I think we should avoid. We’re in a situation where things are going to get worse, not better, and we need to take action now. I need your help if this is going to happen. Volunteer for my campaign. Donate to the cause. Let’s see if we can stop this train before it wrecks.

 e-mail – campaign2010 at edwardcrim.com

phone – 314-504-6692