System caused the controversy

On Feb. 7, Jeanie Wagenman wrote “Birth control mandate wrong,” a letter stating that it was a violation of the Constitution to force churches to purchase birth control coverage in their insurance.

While I think that Wagenman has a point, I also think that the opposite case can also be made. It’s unconstitutional to give religious institutions a special exception under the law, since this establishes some faiths as being exempt from the same laws as the rest of us. I’m no legal scholar, but I know that the First Amendment cuts both ways.

In fact, some faiths don’t believe in medicine at all and would rather let faith alone heal the sick! Where do you draw the line?

What I really want to point out is that if we got rid of employment-based insurance and allowed everyone to purchase insurance at group rates regardless of employment, this problem wouldn’t even exist. The grip the insurance companies have on our political process is a big part of this problem. So let’s not lay all the blame at the feet of President Barack Obama, shall we? He didn’t make the system that he is trying to change.

Paul Susac

Spokane