I wasn't going to listen to the speech, but of course I had to. I had fantasized about what a really bold, brave leader would say after the response from Americans during August. I hoped for the impossible from you, President Obama — something like

"The American people have spoken and I have listened. This will be a short speech. Tonight I am asking Congress to go back to the drawing board and start drafting health care reform from scratch. Let's begin by fixing the easy things like Nationwide competition among insurance companies, health care coverage for American citizens who cannot get it for one reason for another and include tort reform. Then we will start the process of looking at health care from a broader perspective. Most important, let's all work together. Now let's go to work!"

Wow! That would have put you over the top. But once again, Mr. President, I suggest that you are not in control and that those who are pulling your strings will not consider common sense and reason as they march us toward socialism.

Aside from the fact that you re-drew the battle lines during your "campaign" speech, once again, you did not tell the truth. You insulted those who do not agree with you and threatened the opposition in Congress.

Let's talk about insurance. You suggested that reform would include coverage for those with previous health conditions, those whose insurance had been canceled or had coverage reduced because they got sick, and those who lost their jobs and therefore, their insurance. Well, those things can all be fixed with tort reform and without a public option.

Do you really believe, Mr. President, that we swallow things like no panels of bureaucrats to kill off seniors, no coverage for illegals and no federal funding for abortions? Have you read HR-3200 Mr. President? And have you read the 51 page manual for veterans that you recently ordered to be brought back after the previous administration refused to use it? It is called Your Life, Your Choices, but the title belies the content. It is a sales presentation for ending life and should be called Your Death, Your Choices. HR 3200 suggests the same attitude as this death manual for veterans.

You said in your speech that 5 or fewer insurance companies control the coverage offered in 34 states. Again, that is easy to resolve by requiring nationwide health insurance competition.

You said costs would not add to the deficit and would be covered by budget cuts and the elimination of fraud? Medicare is loaded with fraud. Why don't you start with that? We'd like to see how government would eliminate the problems within Medicare and Medicaid to save money. Why aren't you working on that one?

Most important, you will not eliminate the public option and no amount of your word-smithing can convince us that a co-op or a trigger are anything less than a start down the path of no return to the government takeover of health care. Needless to say, I was disappointed in your speech.