The United States is the only advanced nation that does not have universal health care and responsible gun control. The reason is that a majority of Republicans want neither. The GOP touts family values, yet flips off those policies that would make families more secure. We now have armed individuals attending public meetings hoping to crush legitimate debate on health care, a good example of the decadence the party inadvertently spawns.

Democracy is based on reason and trust. Government is what we do together, and intelligent, well-reasoned policies can rise above fear and irrationality and become law. There are still Republicans who represent a proud conservative tradition, but their voices are drowned out by those who hate government and distrust democracy. The majority of Republicans have poisoned the debate on health care and gun control, making it easy for a greedy insurance industry and the National Rifle Association to manipulate public policy.

If we cannot solve these two issues through reason and moral integrity, we are indeed a pitiful nation.

Ron Molen

Salt Lake City