When politicians want to spin public opinion on a particular issue, and the facts aren’t working, they usually resort to fear.

The health insurance debate that’s raging in Washington has fallen to that level.

So, when you hear someone trying to scare a group of constituents, take time and put some thought into the issues and the assertions that they are using to scare you.

Don’t blindly trust your political party’s talking points. And if all else fails follow the money.

It’s been interesting to watch how the politicians, who get large sums of campaign contributions from the insurance and medical equipment industries, are working hard to scare groups of Americans, especially seniors on the health insurance debate.

So when you hear someone warning you about an attack on the Medicare system, and that you should call your representative to voice your opposition to the reform bill, think.

The “public option” being debated by Congress would be Medicare for the unlucky few whose employer doesn’t supply heath insurance as a benefit or the folks that just can’t afford it. The “public option” could also be used as a way to create competition in the insurance industry.

Medicare is government administered health care insurance.

So when a senior complains to their congressman about the proposed health care reform, their saying that I want to keep my government health care insurance, but I don’t want you to have the same opportunity.

And when a government employee complains to their congressman about the proposed health care reform, they are saying that I want to keep my government health care insurance, but I don’t want anyone else to have the same opportunity.

And when a Congressman says they oppose the proposed health care reform, they are saying that I want to keep my government health care insurance, but I don’t want you to have the same opportunity.

This is a debate that should and must take place. But it should be debated on the facts, not distortions and lies.

So when you hear the talking points from both parties on this debate, think before you act. Think about how much is at stake in this debate, both in money and blood.

For every dollar spent in this country, 16 cents is spent on health care. 30,000,000 Americans are without health insurance. How many of these folks are going to die because a condition or cancer was not detected early?

Now is the time for significant reform of the health insurance industry.

An industry that has not had to compete on a level playing field for decades. An industry that influences how medicine is practiced in this country without any oversight. An industry that pays its CEOs tens of millions of dollars a year, but denies its customers access to medical tests and treatment prescribed by their doctors.

So don’t blindly follow the lead of politicians on this issue, because you may not know what master their serving.

Paul Carman

Ironton