New York Times
February 5, 2006
To the Editor:
Nicholas D. Kristof suggests that we mandate health-promoting measures like taxing junk foods. He says he’s personally “convinced that we need universal health care based on a single payer system,” but “that is not politically feasible now.”
“Not politically feasible” is code for “the politicians have been bought and paid for by the special interests.”
Aren’t our pols on the take also from purveyors of corn syrup, French fries and other noxious nostrums?
What makes Mr. Kristof think that lobbyists for agribusiness and Big Tobacco will smile on his ideas for a “systematic assault on the causes of American ill health”?
How many employers must go under; how many Americans must declare health-related bankruptcy; and how expensive must the profiteers make American health care before a rational, national health system becomes “politically feasible”?
In several states and cities that have reduced the amount of private money in politics with “clean election” laws, universal health care has suddenly become more “politically feasible.” The rash of political scandals makes this an idea whose time has come.
John Glasel
Hoboken, N.J., Jan. 31, 2006
The writer is secretary of Health Care for All/New Jersey.