From the article -- "He's going to have a hard time winning the general election without labor's support," said Vincent Panvini, a lobbyist with the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association. -- That, in my opinion, is disgusting. Even within their own unions there may very well be people who are just wanting the work, not the politics of the union they are FORCED to join in order to perform their trade. I'm skeptical that Senator Spector won't be swayed back to the dark side, however. Put enough money in his pocket, or enough pork in the bill and he'll swap back. Get those letters and emails in to his office showing support of his current position. He'll need to know he has the votes he'd supposedly be losing in 2010!

I'll admit ignorance when it comes to the insurance "system" we have here in the States. I've always found it interesting that, while I pay a monthly rate, I *still* have to pay when I see a doctor, or have to meet a certain money amount before the insurance kicks in. I mean, I'm already paying to have service, right? Maybe someone can explain that to me. I'm waiting for more doctors to do what this man has already tried to do. I'm certain it's all the malpractice lawsuits (frivolous and otherwise) that prevent them from breaking the norm. I'm not willing to give this doctor "hero status" yet, but I certainly salute him for showing true, American initiative. It's only minor irony (or is it?) that he was/is a foreign fellow that apparently "gets" what America is really about, even though some of us locals have clearly forgotten.

I'm a Hoosier that has had the same "effect" on our Congressional members. Emails being responded to with trite garbage that didn't even pertain to what I wrote about in the first place! Loads of finger pointing, of course. We have worthless, center/lefty Republican's that are a disgrace. It's pretty funny when my democratic party House Rep is more Republican than the Republicans (still not saying much)! Anyway, I'm not backing down. I'll continue my pressure. If, at a minimum, to add stress to that person answering the phone/emails and make them go "I've had it!" Maybe that will at least open their eyes to the fools they serve.