I am a strong (some would say “rabid”) proponent of universal health care for every American. Not only that, I believe adequate health care should be a constitutionally guaranteed right.

The USA ranks 35th in infant mortality among all the countries of the world. We stand 37th in life expectancy. Singapore is No. 1 in infant mortality. Macao and Hong Kong, two territories of China, are Nos. 1 and 3 respectively in life expectancy.

America, without question, has the finest medical technology and practitioners in the world, a world in which we are considered the only super power. Why should we accept the fact that almost three dozen nations are healthier than we are?

David Trisler’s letter [Oct. 16] cited four recent popularity polls as reason why we should not have health care reform. Since when did we run this country on the basis of polls? The only poll that matters is the one we use to elect our leaders. If you don’t like a president or member of Congress’ performance, vote him out.

If Trisler’s favorite president, George W. Bush, depended on popularity polls to keep him in the White House, he probably would never have resided there in the first place. In fact, if not for the Electoral College, he would not have.

Jeff Brailey

Chesterfield