Plymouth – Congressman Dan Lungren focused on health care and Capitol Hill battles over health care reform in a speech before the Plymouth Rotary Club Tuesday morning at the 49er RV Village in Plymouth. “A government system would ration health care,” said Lungren, standing before an audience of approximately 30 Rotarians. “We’re already $1 trillion in debt, and I don’t see how we can take on another trillion-dollar program,” he said. A number of Rotarians were in attendance, including individuals from the Amador Water Agency, the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, the Plymouth City Council and the Amador City Council. Audience members stood and applauded at the start and conclusion of Lungren’s nearly hour-long speech. He said “health care could mean more to the United States than any other single issue today.” He criticized President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Democrats for trying to push through a health package that will require more government oversight and spending. He called Joe Biden “an interesting guy you’d like to watch a football game with, but by half-time you’d be telling him to shut up.” Marilyn Hoopes, a resident of Sutter Creek, said her rates as a small employer have gone up 50 percent and asked if it isn’t better to have some sort of government competition. She also said she is happy with the Medicare system. Lungren said Medicare is going to go broke by 2040. “My fear is that if we go in the other direction, Medicare will break us,” he said. He said “I will never give up on this country, but I do give up on some of the people who say we can do things (the same old way.)” Lungren ended his speech by quoting French theorist and economist Frederic Bastiat, who said: “The state is the great fictitious entity by which everyone seeks to live at the expense of everyone else.” Lungren represents California’s 3rd District, which includes Amador County. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.