Dear Ms. Kathryn Jean Lopez, You are Right, But ...

A friend passed on Howard Kurtz's opinion piece in the Washington Post, "Media's health-care exhaustion," noting that research data from David Frum's staff suggested that the Tea Party people don't understand taxes. It's worth a read to see how confused the Tea Party crowd appears to be this subject that it's taken to its bosom, and also to digest what Health Care Reform may mean to the Obama presidency. In addition, Kurtz gives an intelligent assessment of how the media handled the Health Care Reform story.

However, it was the following quote from a conservative writer that caught my attention for other reasons.

From the right, Kathryn Jean Lopez in National Review:

"Congratulations, Democrats. Beginning now, you own the health-care system in America. Every hiccup. Every complaint. Every long line. All yours." (from Kurtz's WaPo column)

The pessimism of the statement, its pettiness, stood out to me. And so I'm asking Lopez to be more positive about the nation's future.

Dear Ms. Lopez:

You are correct that Democrats will be blamed for every flaw in the new health care system. My question is will you and others on the right also give them kudos when due?

If what you say is correct, then it is equally true that Republicans may not lay claim to any successes from the new system. Beginning now, the Democrats own the health-care system in America. Every joyful tear. Every smile. Every life saved. All theirs.

Sincerely,
Verite Parlant aka Nordette