New Opportunity for Leadership

Based upon polls, a large segment of our population continues to be concerned about the health care legislation that was passed last year. Now that the House of Representatives has repealed the legislation, efforts will likely take place in the Senate to do the same, but repeal in the Senate does not look promising. Furthermore, the President threatens a veto if repeal occurs in the Senate.

Because so much dissatisfaction exists with the new health care legislation, it creates a prime opportunity for the President to lead Congress through another look at the health care law and enact changes for the better. This would be a much better alternative than veto threats, along with the Senate refusing to budge.

The health care legislation has many flaws that need to be corrected. Too much Federal Government control was built into the law which over regulates doctors, patients, and insurance companies. The law fails to effectively reduce costs for all patients, while mandating that we purchase insurance regardless of the fact that premiums are likely to increase. Most of the debate severely critized insurance company policies, without dealing with increased costs generated by the rest of the medical industry.

It is very possible to remodel the legislation into a law that is more palatable to everyone, and that meets the needs of our society. However, it will take leadership on behalf of the President and Congress to get this done. We hope they are capable of doing so.

The Grange Should Be Congress

After completing the annual session of the National Grange, it is comforting to know that we can bring delegates together from the Grange states, discuss a variety of issues, and develop a unified legislative policy.

While the delegates are in session, it does not matter who the Democrats and Republicans are. Nor are the delegates concerned about who may be liberal, moderate, or conservative. Disagreements usually occur, but in the end, the attempt is to make the best decisions possible on behalf of our organization and the members that are represented.

The National Grange legislative process could serve as a good model for Congress. Operating in a non-partisan way is always better because all voices are brought to the table and all viewpoints are considered, rather than that of one particular group. Political favors and maneuvering do not rule the decision making process. The right thing to do dictates the decisions that are made within the Grange organization.

With the Republicans now in control of the US House, and Democrats controlling the Senate, will Congress serve us better in the next two years? We can only hope so, but both parties appear to be deeply entrenched in their opposing ideologies.

So, my message to Congress is simple - send any issues that cannot be resolved to the delegates of the National Grange and we will take care of them for you in a non-partisan, unified, efficient, timely, and decisive manner. In addition, because we operate in a grassroots manner, an effort that begins in communities across the nation, our constituents are more likely to be pleased with decisions made because their voices are part of the entire process!