The Republican’s health care proposal, “Trumpcare,” cuts deep into the heart of energizing values and principles that I hold dear, principles formed in my youth through church and grandparents, Boy Scouts of America, and Problems of Democracy class.

Church gave me Jesus’ directive to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” Trumpcare, by that definition, is a sin because it will lead to an estimated 24 million people losing health insurance in 10 years and to thousands of people losing their lives.

Scouting gave me the oath to “do my best, to do my duty to God and my Country and obey the Scout law” — foremost to be trustworthy. President Trump’s misrepresentation of plain facts with platitudes is dishonorable.

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution affirm equality. The health care proposal comes on the backs of working families and older people, while the wealthiest and corporations walk away with billions over a decade from tax cuts — inequality at its worst and clearly undemocratic.

I didn’t come to these realizations easily. It took due diligence, reflection and critical thinking. People should not take kindly to someone making a mockery of democracy.

I find the words of my favorite Republican helpful during these times. Abraham Lincoln said, “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

Let us not be fooled.

Chaitanya York, Leeds

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