Politicians and their useful allies in the media like to throw in our faces the "fact" that nearly 47 million people in this country are without health insurance, and for that reason we should drastically overhaul the health- care industry and spend over $10 trillion in the coming decade to accomplish that goal.

There are 300 million people living in this country, so 47 million uninsured would be 16 percent of the population.

Of that 47 million uninsured, approximately 10 million are here illegally and have no right to any taxpayer funds for health care. Despite this, they show up at emergency rooms across this nation and are not denied medical care.

Of that 47 million uninsured, 8.5 million earn between $50,000 and $75,000 per year, and an additional 8.5 million earn more than $75,000 dollars per year. This means that 6 percent can afford insurance but choose to be uninsured as is their right, at least currently, under our besieged Constitution.

So if 47 million are uninsured and 10 million of that number are here illegally and 17 million are exercising their right to choose where to spend their money, that leaves roughly 23 million or 7.6 percent who legitimately cannot afford health insurance.

Doesn't it seem reasonable that we could find some way to help that small percentage of our legal residents who cannot afford insurance other than by a complete, and very expensive, revision of our present health-care industry?

The current crop of politicians have no real interest in helping anyone other than themselves. The proposed legislation is nothing more than a power grab and another way to exercise control over the citizens of this country, thinly disguised in humanitarian terms.

Take a look at the specifics of this legislation and tell them "No!"

David Kilpatrick

Pinehurst