Titus shows how legislating is done

Tom Harper, Henderson

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 | 2:04 a.m.

I read with interest the LasVegasSun.com article Wednesday by Lisa Mascaro, “Dina Titus backing House health care plan after changes.” Mascaro notes that “Titus had been walking a political line of supporting health reform, but opposing several elements of the House plan ...” and that Titus was pleased with changes to the new House bill because it “takes important steps to make health insurance more affordable and accessible for the uninsured, employers and those with preexisting conditions.”

Isn’t this the duty and responsibility of legislators to review proposed legislation and then work toward changes to best protect the interests of Americans? It’s a sad and dire contrast with the “Party of No” that, for partisan reasons, opposes legislation suggested by the opposing party and that places the best interest of Americans second to what has become “gotcha politics.”

In these woeful economic times, we must reject partisan politics, which will result only in maintaining the status quo. It’s time for innovative and thoughtful legislation that will rescue a failed health care system wherein many Americans are paying more for their health care than for the necessities of food and housing.

The late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, in his 1980 speech to the Democratic Convention, said it best: “Together, a president and the people can make a difference ... Let us go forward in the knowledge that history only helps those who help themselves.” This is the reason I actively campaigned for a candidate like Titus, who, unlike the “Party of No,” has the political will and courage to pursue necessary political change.