Gary Gilligan

Sidney

On behalf of the Richland County Republican Party, I would like to thank the hundreds of people who stopped by Saturday to support our booth. Many stopped and bought some homemade goodies, and many others stopped by to offer a word of encouragement.

Most importantly, hundreds stopped and signed a petition that will soon be delivered to Sen. Max Baucus. Sen. Baucus should be commended for years of leadership in Montana on issues like gun rights and others – even though we certainly disagree with him on many issues. Baucus, however, has recently stepped over the line in becoming Obama’s point-man on so-called “Health Care Reform.” That name is misleading, as if the federal government already runs the medical industry in our nation and it simply needs a little “reform.” In fact, what is happening is that the Obama Administration is seeking to put a coup on nearly a third of America’s economy as he socializes medicine.

Is free medical care a “right?” Is it a Constitutional provision given us as Americans? Furthermore, are we seriously asking our government to take over yet another industry (one with life-threatening implications) when it has proven to be unable to run any aspect of government efficiently or prudently? Do we want a government-run health system that rations health care for its citizens, deciding who gets what care based off of the bottom-dollar?

Max needs to back off of Obama’s sprint toward socialism. Because of our senator’s involvement in this scheme, if Montana takes a stand on this issue we might wield more power on the national scene that we ever have.