Last week, Peggy Purvis raised some questions. Not that my observations about Obamacare have any link to whether I’m on Social Security or Medicare, but to answer the question, I’m not. I’ve also not enrolled in Obamacare. I have (at least for now) non-“junk” employer- sponsored health insurance, but 2014 premiums are (as for millions of others) increasing (by 32 percent).

Actually, there may be a connection between Medicare and Obamacare. Both are run by the federal government. Funding for Medicare (Part A – primarily hospital care) is derived from mandatory payroll deduction (1.45 percent of your pay and 1.45 percent from your employer) on practically every employed person throughout their work years.

Funding for Obamacare also is mandatory via various taxes, fees, higher premiums and fines for non-compliance. Most importantly, Medicare is on the path to bankruptcy (predictions vary as to when this will happen) and Obamacare is already projected by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office to cost at least three times its original estimate (presuming healthy, young people actually sign up and subsidize the program).

Does anyone really expect that bigger government will be fiscally responsible?

Recently, Ms. Purvis directed some less than flattering comments at “Tea Partiers.” So, a few Tea Partiers and I were talking the other day about her support of Obamacare and her personal experience with this program.

In order to seek out available knowledge, we hereby cordially extend this public invitation to Ms. Purvis to the next meeting of Fountain Hills AZ Tea Party on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. at the FHUSD Learning Center. She will be afforded the opportunity to expound upon Obamacare and participate in a civil discussion about the facts.

In the meantime, may all of us share in the peace, joy, and love of Christmas.