Knoxville —
To the editor:
In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were among our inalienable rights. He was a slave holder and denied liberty to his slaves because it was to his economic advantage.
The current controversy over Obamacare has little to do with health care. It is similar to liberty for Jefferson's slaves. The question is whether health care shall be a government program addressing the rights of citizens, or a profit-driven business for insurance companies.
Interestingly, the words to Yankee Doodle were originally written by the British in contempt for the soldiers of the colonies. The Americans adopted the tune and words and sang it at Yorktown as Cornwallis and the British troops left in defeat. It may eventually be the same for the term Obamacare.
Our Charles Grassley now has six more years in the Senate and a lot of influence because of his seniority. The co-chairmen of the President's deficit committee have told us that we must raise more money and trim federal social programs.
Will Grassley have the courage to meet the challenges of compromise and to reject the GOP's political goals? In WWII, our nation mobilized to meet threats to our national security.
Citizen soldiers, rationing and a luxury tax were part of the mobilization. Now we have a professional military, seemingly endless wars and a reluctance to raise taxes or sacrifice. Our economic security is a present threat.
Robert Holdefer
Knoxville
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