With the exception of the United States, men, women, and children who live in countries considered part of the ‘developed world,’ healthcare is considered a right. Free medical care is available to every individual who lives in their country.

If Republicans were not the party in power, the American people would have the same rights as all of the world’s other citizens. We would not be under the control of special interests.

One man in Austin, Texas, who has an undisclosed medical condition, formulated a plan. 58-year-old Edward Austin Averill III walked into a bank, handed the teller a note politely asking for all of his 50 and 100 dollar bills. He ended the note with a suggestion to call the police; he would be waiting right outside of the facility.

He kept his word, and was waiting with the money just as promised. Mr. Averill is in custody; his bail was set at $7,500. No one knows what led him to take such action to secure healthcare in a prison.

This is a sad statement. Here is the basic mistake made by our government and the willingness of the people to accept the actions of our elected officials without demanding equal treatment under the law.

Our founding fathers served the people of the new nation without remuneration. Here are the facts which prove that today’s congress lives in luxury and experiences a life of privilege undeserved and unwarranted by their failure to serve the people.

The base salary of each of the 535 men and women who are in the House and the Senate is $174,000. Tax returns reveal annual incomes for all 535 members of congress are in excess of one-million dollars, with only a few exceptions. Where does the additional $826,000 come from? This does not include healthcare, or retirement benefits. They work only 100 hours a month, and 100 day a year, and much of that time is involved with fundraising and campaigning for their next election. All of these statistics are the result of congress voting themselves pay increases, benefits and privileges. Not once has the voting public been allowed to set limits on monetary remunerations or term limits. This is unforgivable. They have taken the right to decide what “privileges” are offered to the American people; and for the record, Social Security is not a ‘privilege;’ we and our employers paid every dollar we receive. What congress does with that money is considered embezzlement. Do you remember the story about a slush fund created to protect members of congress who are accused of sexual harassment? They decide if the American people receive healthcare. They decide if the federal minimum wage is raised. They alone make decisions affecting the daily lives of all of our nation’s people while refusing to listen to the voices of the majority.

Actions demanded by a large percentage of Americans on immigration, healthcare, gun control, minimum wage, and equality for women in all situations have been ignored by one party for more than 25 years. Time for this to end. Their war on the working class, minorities, and women can end on November 6, 2018. We can take our country back from our enemies; GOP politicians. Return control of both the House and Senate to Independents and Democrats; they will work for us.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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