Back-room deals have gone on for years by both parties, but most Americans are tired of that type of politics. The health care fiasco is another example of how politics in Washington isn’t going to change under this administration. Our politicians continue to look at only today and not on the long-term effects of their decisions on future generations. The attitude is whatever it takes to get re-elected instead of what is best for the country. Someday, I hope we can have politicians who are willing to look at future obligations and think about future generations. Term limits would help accomplish that goal.

It is hard to imagine that our government can operate health care economically when we consider how poorly Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Medicare and Social Security have performed. Last month, for the first time, the dollars paid exceeded the dollars received in the Social Security program. The only job growth we have seen recently is with the government, the health care bill will add 16,000 IRS jobs to monitor the program as well as more government czars. Just what we need, more government jobs instead of other job creation!

Anyone who believes that we can insure 32 million more people and isn’t going to cost anything can be described as naive. AT&T stated that the health care program is going to cost them $1 billion dollars in expenses the first quarter. AK Steel Corp. ($31M), Caterpillar ($100M), John Deere ($150M), 3M ($90M), Valero Energy and others have all stated that it will cost their companies millions of dollars.

What affect will this have on job creation? Companies will be forced to raise prices to pay for the additional expense, which raises the cost of living for all Americans who purchase their products and services.

We all agree there is a huge need for health care reform, but the present bill is flawed and costly. The bill must be appealed, replace some portions and reform to be more effective at a reduced cost to Americans. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz should be voted out of office for his yes vote on this bill and the spending spree that he and other Democrats are on.

President Obama declared that the new health care law “is going to be affecting every American family”; however, the new health care law exempts the president, the House and Senate from having to participate in it. If this “historic” health care law is so great for America, it should be good enough for the president and Congress.

The debt snowball keeps on rolling and growing. The federal public debt, which was $6.3 trillion ($56,000 per household) when President Obama entered office amid an economic crisis, totals $8.2 trillion ($72,000 per household) today, and is headed toward $20.3 trillion (more than $170,000 per household) in 2020, according to CBCYs deficit estimates.

It’s time to reload with politicians who aren’t making back-room deals, growing government and putting our children further in debt. Retool the health care program with opening borders to insurance competition, prevent fraud and drop pre-existing health conditions that exclude people from insurance.

Create jobs other than with the government. We need to get our federal debt under control, not simply pass it to our children and grandchildren!

Ken Petersen is a vice co-chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party.