Who do Republicans think they're helping?

It is bewildering to me that a political party can act with such disregard for the real challenges facing those it claims to represent.

The American health care system wracks up crushing debt and leaves tens of millions without insurance all while spending vastly more per person than other countries which have higher life expectancy and lower infant mortality rates. Our health care system is failing and will continue to do so more spectacularly until we enact meaningful reform.

But yet again here comes the minority Republican Party demonstrating no shame at their distortion of facts, no qualms about stoking division and resentment, and no viable ideas for how to address these problems.

When Congress passes comprehensive health care reform I will be keeping count of who had the courage to face up to the complicated challenges facing the American people.

Burke Sampson, Baltimore