Frank E. Bovalino – 9/4/09

This page was last updated on September 5, 2009.

Congress must develop a spine; Frank E. Bovalino; Beaver County Times; September 4, 2009.

Mr. Bovalino (a member of the Beaver Area School Board) tends to write letters bashing Republicans and defending Democrats. Some of his letters told us we’d miss state Sen. Gerald LaValle (D) (cofounder of the BIG slush fund), proposed “solutions” to alleged manmade global warming, and lobbied against E-ZPass for PA toll roads. Mr. Bovalino (and his wife) is an elected municipal committee member of the Beaver County Democrat Committee. Mr. Bovalino is treasurer for the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 47 Political Action Committee.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“Wednesday’s editorial cartoon depicted exactly what has happened in Congress in resolving health care, among other issues. A ‘spine flu’ vaccine is needed in D.C. Yes, I hear the arguments against a ‘socialized,’ government-sponsored medical plan, but what is Medicare or Medicaid?”

[RWC] At least Mr. Bovalino recognizes socialist programs when he sees them.

“Would the majority of our citizens be willing to purge themselves of these and other socialist programs, such as veterans’ care, subsidies to private insurance in tax credits, Social Security, corporate tax write-offs and the G.I. Bill, to name a few?”

[RWC] “[V]eterans’ care” and “the G.I. Bill” are not “socialist programs.” Our servicemen and servicewomen earn these benefits; they are not handouts. The other programs should be purged.

“Would the option to shift these responsibilities (financial and physical) to the private sector be supported by private organizations at a reasonable price?”

[RWC] Assuming by “the private sector” Mr. Bovalino meant businesses, none of “these responsibilities (financial and physical)” are responsibilities of business. We as individuals have that responsibility. We need neither nanny business nor nanny government.

“The liberal label pinned on supporters of universal health care fuels the debate of higher national debt and increased taxes. The largest peacetime tax increase as a percentage to GNP was levied by Ronald Reagan to support government spending. Was he a liberal?”

[RWC] Mr. Bovalino failed to mention some facts. First, Mr. Bovalino fails to mention the tax rate cuts of 1981. Second, Mr. Bovalino is referring specifically to TEFRA, not the overall effect of the Reagan-era tax bills. Third, President Reagan agreed to TEFRA on the promise Congress would eventually approve $3 in spending cuts for every $1 of tax increase. Fourth, the overall effect of the Reagan-era tax bills was a net decrease in taxes relative to GDP.

“If socialism is an excuse not to pass universal health care, what should we do with the other previously mentioned programs? It’s about time Congress developed a spine and passed a comprehensive universal health care plan that benefits all American citizens.”

[RWC] Please read my paper entitled “Healthcare.”