Health care advances; candidates invited

And so the US Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act last Thursday, in a 5-4 vote.

President Obama and his supporters celebrate; Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and a host of other Republican elected officials promise to repeal it if they win the elections this fall.

Personally, I hope the act continues to stand. Our nation's health care system is out of control, and we, the people, need to elect officials who will rein it in. By out of control, I mean that corporations are gouging us wherever they can, and that costs are out of control.

I hold with those who say a free market works well when people behave ethically, but the current system limits access to all citizens and, at least in my case, consumes income that could be used to stimulate the economy.

Most people will admit the act isn't perfect. It can be improved, and it should be.

However, it's an important advance in bringing health care to those who need but can't afford it.

Finally, one must salute Chief Justice John Roberts. Known as a conservative, he didn't let political values overpower his sense of duty to the law.

Candidate forum set

The Eagle invites local candidates for office to participate in a forum which we'll sponosor on July 23, 7 p.m., at the Pioneer Community Center in Cathlamet.

This forum will focus on local races--county commissioner and treasurer and Wahkiakum PUD commissioner.

Candidates will have an opportunity to make a statement, and they'll answer written questions submitted by the public. Cathlamet attorney Tom Doumit will be moderator.

There was some confusion last week after we went to press and announced the forum. Cathlamet town officials went over their ordinance pertaining to use of the Pioneer Community Center and concluded it couldn't be used for political uses such as a candidates' forum. They later changed their minds, and, for now, the forum will be at the Pioneer Community Center.