Thought for the day

April 28, 1999

Three years ago, the Republican Congress passed legislation setting a deadline of THIS August for them to establish guidelines to protect the privacy of patients' medical records. They've been dragging their feet for most that time allowing companies to buy and sell medical information without our permission.

But now their self-imposed deadline is nearly upon us and even though they have been in control of Congress for the whole three years, the Republican leadership has waited. Why? Could it be because the very large companies that buy and sell our most personal information are big campaign contributors? Gee, I wonder.

What has motivated the Republicans to finally move on this vital legislation? Is it shame for waiting so long? Naw, I doubt it. More likely they are worried that when they fail, their rules allow President Clinton to create the privacy regulations himself and implement them by executive order (without their advice or consent!) I think the morons probably didn't think President Clinton would get reelected, don't you?

Well it's down to the wire. Let's see if the GOP live up to their promise protect the middle-class, or if they try to pass laws to take away our rights to sue companies who buy and sell private information. (I'm betting they sell us down the river. The GOP motto is "I never met a contributor I didn't like.")