Congress, Senate, and the President should waive all health care insurance until they pass health care reform--it shows solidarity with America.

I've watched the health care drama with close scrutiny.

As a working, middle class, American priced out of medical insurance, you can damn well bet I have an interest in reform.

As with most Americans, I think we need reform.

Insurance has failed in its appointed task: To spread the risk by covering as many people as possible. In fact, insurance companies reduce costly beneficiaries that cost them profits. In the short-term, their bottom line benefits, but it defeats the central premise of good insurance practice, viz., spreading the risk.

Policy makers have a conflict of interest. All of them... ALL OF THEM have coverage paid for with tax dollars. Their judgment is skewed since the sword of Damocles doesn't hang over their heads.

In order for the health care legislation to reach a suitable and equitable conclusion, I suggest a change for our policy makers.

All of them. Every last elected official with the power to vote for or against health care reform must waive any insurance coverage for themselves and for their dependents until every working American has access--real access-- to affordable health insurance.

I suspect that none of them will take my suggestion. That underscores the real point. None of them has a clue about the struggles and the fears that real Americans live with daily due to our current system of insurance and health care.

This isn't surprising though. My Congressman and Senator both come from money and have never done without, so they haven't a clue about the rest of us.

Government contractors and those getting bailout money offshore their tax liability--the rest of can't do that.

Is anyone surprised that a number of large companies, including those getting bailout money and those with strong ties to the Republican party are making every effort to plunder the U.S. treasury and thus the U.S. taxpayer?

You shouldn't be.

When it comes to money, companies and their allies will use anything to get their hands on it.

If it means selling people on a war to improve their bottom line--they'll do it. If it means evading their obligations to their home country by evading taxes--they'll do it.

I don't know about you, but if I tried to offshore myself to avoid taxes I'd be arrested.

So much for real patriotism. Being patriotic is about carrying your full share responsibility to your country instead of your wallet.