The Reader's Corner

FIRST, DO NO HARM

By Larry Lavenberg of Atglen

We are now into the next political cycle and every day a new set of budget cuts at both the state and federal levels are announced by the Tea Party types, Federalist purists, and Republican extremists on the very hard right.  

For one, I consider all this cheap political theatrics at its nastiest.  Truthfully, I doubt the founding fathers, so frequently referred to as the sole source of all our liberty and freedom, had any idea that the future would hold such reckless use of the nation’s principals. 

Heck, in 1935 there were about 140,000,000 people in the United States, now there are over 300,000,000.  Many of that number, then as now, were unemployed with no means of support except through agencies created during the depression by state and federal government.  Those agencies pulled the country through bleak times. They continue to this day.  

Some in the newly minted congressional membership believe many or all of these service agencies perpetuate a tax burden the county.   

They are also of the mind that those needing assistance should get off their duff, find a job, and stop looking for a handout.  Those in need of medical assistance should buy a big box of Band-Aids and pray that a medical disaster doesn’t happen.   

For those who have worked all their lives and need assistance in retirement, the answer is “get a job!”  The single thought of the new force in Washington is to use “Attila the Hun” slash and burn tactics to fulfill the goal of less government spending. 

When the congress or legislature is sworn into office they pledge to uphold the constitution, they should swear one more oath.  I suggest that it be similar to the general body of the Hippocratic Oath; “First, Do No Harm.”

For one to deny that there is a need to reduce spending only points to denial that the problem exists.  Reduction on the backs of the middle class and the working poor will lead to a much larger schism between the rich and poor.  

Each program enacted, whether by state or federal government, was enacted to serve a specific purpose.  Every one of these programs was tempered in compromise and limits both good and bad aspects of the programs.  

A surgeon examines the patient, sees that the patient is properly prepared, all the instruments are readied, and the appropriate help is at hand before any surgery is started.   

Compare the surgeon’s approach to that of the legislative or congressional method and instantly you see the need for elected officials to take an oath of “First, Do No Harm.”   

For the surgeon to perform a procedure without all the information surely leads to a devastating outcome.  The same holds true for the elected official; “First, Do No Harm.” 

For those who question “First, Do No Harm,” try “First, Do Good.”    

Larry Lavenberg is a 15 year resident of Atglen.  He is a past member of the Octorara School Board and currently serves as a member of Atglen's Borough Council.