Richard Wolf captures the essence of political pandering to parents and children of the middle class (“House Passes Kid’s Insurance Bill Despite Veto Threat,” September 26). With government insurance cheaper for a family of four with an annual income of $72,000, why would parents even consider private coverage? This veto-prone legislation is an expansion of the welfare state for the middle class and a big move toward universal, government-run health care. Looking for middle-class votes and greater power, Congress is punishing the poor who continue to smoke (in greater proportion than the middle class) with exorbitant federal excise taxes.
Ralph W. Conner ([email protected]) is local legislation manager at The Heartland Institute.
