Inartfully Worded

As the shock value recedes from "Death Panels For Granny" under the proposed National Health Care Plan, our watchdogs at the Republican National Committee are at it again.

A questionnaire accompanying a recent funding appeal says the government could check voters registration records "prompting fears that GOP voters might be discriminated against for medical treatment in a Democrat-imposed health care rationing system. Does this possibility concern you?"

D'uh, yes! Not only am I a grandparent, but I've voted Republican. "Young Mr Democrat, the doctor will see you in Examination Room 1. You, there, elderly Republican. The morgue is at the bottom of the stairs, first door on the right and don't bleed all over the floor on your way down!"

Katie Wright, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee said the question was "inartfully worded. The RNC doesn't try to scare people. We're just trying to get the facts out on health care."

My dear Ms Wright, "inartfully worded" is "Actually, that dress does make your butt look fat, dear." It is thoughtless, but ultimately harmless.

"Don't count on health care if you've ever voted Republican" is beyond "inartfully worded". In fact, it's almost as good a scare tactic as the classic "Saddam is pointing Weapons of Mass Destruction at your street", not that you fine folks at the RNC would ever stoop to something like that.

It would appear that the "fact" that you're trying to get out on Health Care is that I'd best change my voters' registration to Democrat on my way to the Emergency Room. Somehow, I don't think that is what you were shooting for.