Conservatively Speaking

March 25, 2010

State Senator Jon Erpenbach

PO Box 7882

8 South, State Capitol

Madison, WI 53707-7882

-Hand Delivery and Email-

Dear Senator Erpenbach:

As you are aware, President Barack Obama this week signed a health care bill that will cost American taxpayers nearly a trillion dollars over the last six years of this decade.  You are a long-time supporter of government health care and may be quite pleased.

You are likely also aware of the vast amounts of public opposition to the bill, particularly provisions denying American citizens their right to choose for themselves the health care products they do or do not purchase.

The president’s health care bill includes requirements that everyday Americans purchase health insurance from a private company regardless of whether or not those individuals desire to purchase it, and regardless of whether or not a plan exists to suit their individual needs.  An individual refusing this mandate will be subject to fines of $750 per person, up to $2,250 per family, or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is greater.  Refusing to pay these fines will result in greater penalties, likely including imprisonment.

You may disagree with opposition to the bill.  However, you cannot ignore the thousands upon thousands of individuals in Wisconsin feeling strongly that this mandate is wrong, and unconstitutional.  They are residents, citizens, voters and taxpayers of Wisconsin, just as much as are those supporting the mandates and taxes. 

During February 2010, Senate Joint Resolution 62 (SJR 62) was introduced.  SJR 62 asserts Wisconsin’s Tenth Amendment right to sovereignty, and denies any government attempt to force the purchase of health care services on Wisconsin citizens.  I respectfully request and urge you to give citizens of Wisconsin preferring individual freedom to a promise of government security, an opportunity to be heard at a public hearing for SJR 62 before the end of the 2009-10 legislative session.

Sincerely,

                                                                        (copy)

Mary Lazich

                                                                        State Senator

                                                                        Senate District 28
                                                                        Ranking Minority Member, Senate 

                                                                        Committee on Health, Health Insurance,

                                                                        Property Tax Relief, and Revenue.
                                                                       
Copy:  committee members                                                              

MAL/lcb