Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Re “The Public Plan, Continued” (editorial, Oct. 18):

I truly understand the profound concerns Americans of every political persuasion have regarding how much government is too much; how far government should intrude into commercial markets through regulation and mandates; and whether government should participate directly in the marketplace.

But if some Americans suffer or die disproportionately because the commercial insurance market locks them out, we do not have enough government.

Surely in our land of excess, we can afford to provide access to basic medical care for all Americans. If our vaunted free markets cannot or will not do this, there is no other option than to allow government to grow in order to fill this basic human need. To do less is barbaric. To do less makes us a second-rate nation.

David Vanderpool
Cincinnati, Oct. 18, 2009

Note from KBJ: There is nothing stopping the letter writer and those of like mind from paying for poor people's health care. He has no right to force me or anyone else to pay.