After the Supreme Cpirt ruled the Affordable Care Act was constitutional but called it a tax, the GOP mouthpieces were all over the place talking about the new tax increase for the middle class. But as an article June 30 in the BND pointed out, this tax increase would only affect a small percentage of people, 1 percent to 2 percent if I remember correctly.

It amazes me that Republicans are against the individual mandate because aren't they always preaching about personal responsibility?

If people who don't have health insurance go to the emergency room for medical treatment they can't pay for, those fortunate enough to have health insurance are the ones who pay for it through their constantly rising premiums. One would think this would be the provision the party against free rides would be behind.

There is a lot of fear-mongering going on over this bill. One politician likened this decision to the 9/11 attacks.

As far as the accusations of President Obama turning us into a socialist country, people obviously don't know what socialism is. We have many such programs in the U.S. already. Police and fire protection, the military, public education, public infrastructure and Social Security are a few that come to mind that would be considered socialism.

Why are Republicans trying to scare the country out of health care reform? Is it because it would cut into record profits by the insurance companies, which donate generously to politicians to vote for their interests? Sure seems like it.

Kris Rhines

Swansea