Opponents of health care reform are oblivious to the facts

The debate against health care reform has been steeped in lies and hyperbolic speech. The opposition, from groups such as the Tea Party, has spread lies that are widely disproved by third-party, independent, fact-checking organizations such as PolitiFact.com. Take the time to check facts.

During coverage of a recent Tea Party protest, a man was asked where he was getting his information that he claimed were facts. He said, Fox News. Others didn’t even know how to back up their claims.

Some of the biggest lies are that President Obama and the Democrats are socialists. With socialism, the government actually owns the companies in the economy and plans output. We still have private enterprise in America.

There is a difference between government regulation and oversight to protect consumers and direct ownership. In Britain, doctors are employees of the government.

The current health care bill is not socialist. It regulates the insurance industry, puts in reforms to protect consumers, and mandates that people have coverage, in order to lower the costs for everyone. This is not unlike mandating car insurance.

Please ignore the voices of emotion that are making claims not backed up by facts.

Parris Hobbs

West Carrollton