Tense

The adjective tense aptly describes the present sentiment of the American people. With an exploding deficit, an ever-increasing rate of unemployment, insecurity regarding the relationship between taxes, restrictions and private business development, how could we feel any way other than tense? Add a president who takes every opportunity to divide the various elements of our society to pit us against each other and the level of tension and suspicion increases.

Tense, used as a noun, refers to the time periods present, past and future. Since Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan as his running mate, the president has traversed the country with threats about the future viability of the Medicare program under a possible Republican administration. He repeatedly states that under a Romney/Ryan financial plan Medicare as we know it will disappear. In reality under the Romney/Ryan plan nothing will change for the people presently over the age of 54. Those now under the age of 55 will have the optional opportunity to choose a traditional Medicare plan or a voucher plan at the time of their retirement.

As we read and/or hear the complaints from the Democrats, we should note the preponderance of the future tense in their statements. In contrast we must note the preponderance of the past tense concerning Medicare under Obamacare. The president has already cut $716 billion from the program for the elderly and siphoned the money into care for younger individuals. He has already established

the Independent Payment Advisory Board with the authority to simply deny treatment for individuals whom they consider to be too old. These actions expedite the insolvency of Medicare and ration both the quality and accessibility of health care for the elderly.

It is time to replace the adjective tense with confident for the American people. It is also time to replace the depressing past tense offered by the Democrats with the more positive Republican hope for the future. Now "the old policies" refer to the failed Solyndras as well as the "stimulus" put in place by the president and his party. Let's elect Jon Golnik as Third District Representative to Congress, Scott Brown as Massachusetts senator and Mitt Romney as president. It is time to move away from President Obama's failed policies and toward prosperity.

HILDE HEATON

Dunstable