The health care industry's reply to any kind of reform effort is always to scare people with terms like "government run health care", "government take-over", "rationing", "bureaucrats getting between you and your doctor".  These are the same fear tactics used since 1947.  They use them because they work.  Throw in a few dimwits who insist reform is about "death panels" ready to deep-six the nearest octogenarian, and you have what we have had recently: town halls filled with Nazi salutes and swastikas. Here's the funny part, if you can still find your funny bone: the most efficient systems around at the moment are "government run" - Medicare and Veterans health services.  Overhead costs average 3 - 4 cents per dollar, not the 20 cents plus that is the private sector average.  They also have the highest satisfaction ratings, far higher than the private sector.  We already have rationing.  It is called "fair practice" by private insurance: recission, claim denial, the purging of policy holders, and premium increases. And we already have bureaucrats between you and your doctor.  But they are not government bureaucrats, they are Wall Street bureaucrats whose business is profit not patients, the next dollar not next best practice. Fact is, we spend twice what anyone else spends and are ranked one notch above Slovenia in health care outcomes. Don't be afraid of a better health care system.  Contact your representative today!  Tell them we must have comprehensive, universal reform with a real public option.

America's Health Insurance Plans  www.ahip.org We invite you to check out the health insurance industry website, with its pacific design and soothing rhetoric. Once you've had your fill, check out the REAL AHIP plans for you, posted as PDFs on Bill Moyers' Journal's website.  Then call your elected representative and tell them, "Enough.  Reform Now.  With a robust public option."

Fear works...sometimes