OPINION & EDITORIAL
Letters to the Editor — 10/13/03
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Monday, October 13, 2003
I am hoping that anyone who read “The real Howard Dean” (Wednesday, Oct. 8) recognizes the article for what it is — a biased opinion that would have attacked Dean no matter what he said Sunday.
The article quoted Citizens for a Sound Economy, calling it a “Washington think tank.” In fact, CSE is a grassroots organization whose sole goal is to push through tax cuts. It was founded by the wealthy owner of oil, gas, and finance firms and is chaired by a former Republican majority leader and supported by George W. Bush. What a surprise that it would criticize Howard Dean’s record in Vermont.
Sunday, Dean said the $87 billion Bush requested for Iraq would pay for universal health care. Wednesday’s article asks, “For how long will that $87 billion cover?” Well, if you were listening, Dean answered that question in his speech — one year. The article also says, “The Iraq money is a one-time cost and most likely a very good investment.” It is very naíve to think that this will be a one-time expense. The rebuilding effort in Iraq will most certainly cost us money for years to come, particularly if there is no support from our now-alienated foreign allies. I would argue that health care is at least as important as destroying and rebuilding a foreign country. It may not seem that way to college students currently covered by their parents’ health insurance, but it probably does to the 60 million Americans without insurance now.
Jeff Wilcox
UW graduate student
jwilcox@geology.wisc.edu
