Congressman Schweikert recently offered a reasoned analysis of the so-called Affordable (not according to latest projections) Care Act, including the assessment of Senator Baucus, one of the bill’s authors, that is, “a train wreck.” In last week’s letters, Schweikert, and Republicans in general, were roundly criticized on “Obamacare.” On the contrary, I applaud Schweikert for highlighting facts and reminding us what is at stake.

Flashback: then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, we “have to pass the bill to see what is in it.” We have now seen what is in it, and it is not pretty. The President’s promises are being refuted. Polls show the majority of Americans stilloppose it. Insurance premiums rise in most states. The planned 2014 implementation of the employer mandate is delayed, but the individual mandate (on us) to buy insurance remains. Employers search for ways to prevent Obamacare’s huge costs from producing financial disaster. The IRS, enforcer of the mandates, is embroiled in major scandal - political targeting of conservatives and fiscal mismanagement. Even Obama-appointed IRS chief, Danny Werfel, admitted that he would rather “stay with the current [insurance] policy that I’m pleased with rather than go through a change…”

Conservatives have attempted to block implementation to save the nation from its damaging consequences and prevent increasing dependency upon government. Alternatives have been offered -- allow insurance companies to compete across state lines, thus decreasing rates; expand health savings accounts and let healthcare consumers have a vested interest in their expenditures and more incentive to save more and spend less; institute tort reform, cutting the cost of “defensive medicine.” These ideas and potential solutions, without expanding government spending and intrusion into doctor-patient relationships, proposed by Republicans, have been blocked from debate and vote in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The battle for smaller government and greater freedom continues.