EXCHANGE: Don't forget third option

Dear Mr. Malek and Mr. Morse,

I write to you regarding the proposed (Idaho) state health insurance exchange versus plain ol’ Obamacare. And the third choice.

Now that you are in office, you have discovered what power and promises the various lobbyists wield in coercing freshman and senior politicians alike to do the bidding of their masters.

Idaho is proclaimed as a conservative red state of saddle your own horse kind of folks. If our legislature caves to the demands of Obama Care, how could the attributes of Idaho possibly include conservative and self sufficiency? Many states are standing fast in this battle against Obama Care, but the current leadership of Idaho is doing its best make sure Idaho isn’t one of them. Many are asking the question, what carrot is being dangled?

Have the days of statesmen who see through the smoke and mirrors deteriorated into an era of politicians? Historically, a statesman is capable of identifying the root of the problem, and as such, in the course of matters regarding legislation, firstly, defeating the smoke screen of rhetoric (insurance exchange), secondly, refusing to be part of unjust mandates (Obama Care) and thirdly, doing their duty of standing their ground before those who would exact injustice (insurance bully boys and liberals).

As you well know, Obama Care was neither introduced by nor espoused by the Republican Party. Could it be stated, as fact, republicans bitterly oppose Obama Care as they foresee its adverse consequences to the US of A? Therefore, as you have declared yourselves to be conservatives who espouse the principles of the Republican Party, I urge you to ensure that Idaho isn’t “looked upon” as another liberal state. Be a statesman, stand your ground and take the third choice; defeat the notion of an Idaho state health insurance exchange and refuse to participate in the intrusive Obama Care fiasco.

What will you leave to generations of Idahoans? An admirable legacy? History books are always written in the future.

MARC EBERLEIN

Post Falls