I recently received mail urging me to vote NO on Proposition 45.

There is nothing wrong with that, as a conscientious voter I want information on both sides of an issue.

It would be nice, however, if the information provided would include some reason, some facts and some intelligence.

Proposition 45 presents placement of the elected insurance commissioner as the decision maker in matters of health care, the vote no propaganda I received focused its opposition on the “fact” that the current insurance commissioner is, in their opinion, a liberal Democrat. While that is probably true, it is not relevant to this matter.

My reaction to this declaration was, despite being a registered Republican, to immediately dismiss the entire argument.

But, something needs to be said about health care. The political material provided to me contained some other statements and allegations. “The proponents of Prop. 45 are ardent supporters of a “single payer” government-run care system for all,” they declare.

Every American will need health care at some time in their life. I do. And, I have personal testimony that the American health care system is completely out of control.

As my economic health has waxed and waned in the face of physical health issues I have seen some revealing incidents.

I discovered that my prescribed medications can be purchased at a lower price (as a private citizen without insurance, directly from my pharmacist) than the amount I was paying as my co-pay while insured. I have been quoted different prices for the same treatment as an uninsured patient, and as an insured patient.

The party material quoted Dr. Lee T. Snook, Jr., a board certified physician, saying, “Health care decisions should be made by doctors and patients, not someone with a political agenda.”

I completely agree. But the implication is … that possibility exists; it does not, and it never has. I have personally experienced veto of treatments prescribed by my doctor(s) by some anonymous member of my insurance coverage. I have heard the frustration from my doctors who are losing, have lost, faith in the American health care system.

I don’t know if nationalized health care could be an improvement. I do know the system we are suffering under now is not driven by care or compassion. It is a for-profit business driven by a desire to accelerate gain and minimize cost.

I am a capitalist, philosophically. But there are arenas that are not best-served by capitalism. An industry that should be focused on healing is one of those arenas. Nationalized health care in other countries seems to be working. I am sure there are problems, all systems have them.

Lastly, I am so tired of political affiliation being perceived as the primary consideration for decisions. In fact, I am seeing party politics as a tremendous threat to the welfare of ALL American citizens.

The first “fact” declared in the propaganda I am discussing is, “Puts a Democrat politician in charge of your health care.” If this is the best argument that can be mustered against any legislation, reasoning people have to question the motivations of the speaker.

I will read the legislation. I will read the “for” and “against” material. I will vote my conscience. In my heart, I am not a Republican or a Democrat, I am an involved, concerned American.

Mark Bredt lives in Clearlake, Calif.