Desperate to protect the insurance industry, Republicans and their leaders — right-wing radio and Fox News — through Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and Utah favorite Glenn Beck — rant about "socialized medicine." Mission? Kill meaningful health-care reform.

They argue: "The United States has the best health-care system in the world," etc. Fact: The United States spends more per capita on health care than any other country in the industrialized world, yet infant mortality and life expectancies are worse. The only difference is insurers add a level of profit to the equation.

Employers are at a competitive disadvantage when providing health insurance to employees and/or retirees, while companies in other countries do not. Additionally, health-care expenses are the primary cause of bankruptcy. Eventually, we all pay.

It's time for a single-payer system.

Nick Daskalas

Murray