To the editor,

The results of vote on the universal health care bill by the U.S. House brought me joy and exhilaration and a renewed hope that the U.S. Senate will follow suit and give its approval.

I am one of the fortunate to have labored for 38 1/2 years at union jobs in the great city of International Falls, culminating in the last 30 for the U.S. Postal Service. A portion of my wages went toward retirement as well as premiums for government sponsored health plan — a choice between several plans from which I chose one. Upon retirement 20 years ago I had the option of dropping the plan, find my own plan in the marketplace, or continue paying the premiums to be deducted from my Social Security and retirement benefits. I chose to continue paying the premiums. As a result, I have had the best care by the best doctors in the finest facilities available in this area. I feel so fortunate and blessed. So why am I happy to see this move to universal health care for all?

I feel guilty and saddened considering my own good fortune as compared to all those folks out there who have lost, or are on the verge of losing their jobs if they have one to lose; those who lost their homes due to foreclosure, or never had a home; no jobs with living wage, or the economy is such that its impossible to find money for rent, house payments, groceries, and the many items necessary to sustain dignity and life — and then bang — a serious illness visits them or their families. What to do?

Some would say donate to churches or charities, food banks, etc., depend on goodness of friends, relatives, etc. It doesn’t work and the reason should be obvious. You donate to a certain person you know or feel for and that in all fairness is fine to a point. What about the folks you don’t know? What about the victims of Katrina or other natural disasters occurring regularly? What about the folks of many colors, religions, lifestyles, etc.? If we, the privileged, were willing to ignore the plight of those who are left to their own fate we surely failed as a humane society.

I give thanks to Sen. Ted Kennedy for devoting so much to the cause of universal health care, our courageous Pres. Barack Obama who recognizes the needs of the underprivileged, to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for sticking to her objective and to those wonderful folks of the House for their achievements on behalf of all the people of this great country. If the Senate follows, then we will have an even greater country and healthier population for which the younger generations will be ever grateful.

Thank you so much — and by the way, buying local also means supporting The Daily Journal; subscribe, purchase, or at least read it!

George F. Konecny Sr.
International Falls, MN.