Need public option

Editor:

With regard to the current debate over health care I suggest that the profit motive, so revered in America, has caused considerable damage to our society; resulting in unnecessary sickness and even deaths.

According to classical economics, without violating government law and regulations, the only social responsibility of a corporation is to maximize profits for its shareholders.

Corporate law creates corporate purpose and that purpose is to operate in the interest of shareholders, to make money and failing this duty, directors and officers can be sued by the shareholders.

No mention is made of responsibility to the public interest. Public interest is limited to obeying the law. Obeying the law is a cost.

Allowing for a few exceptions, private hospitals and health insurance companies strive for profits.

You’re important to them only as a means of profit. We have all read of denied claims, our health costs keep increasing, and management skims millions of dollars in profits.

Oh, and yes, they may even act in the public interest if it will increase or protect profits.

We really need the public health care option.

David Hosea, Green Valley