I am writing in response to Rick Smith's letter on Thursday. In his letter, Mr. Smith attacks the idea of socialized medicine and the health care plan former President Clinton was unable to get passed.

Mr. Smith seems to know quite a lot about this issue, and he might very well be right that a more socialized system of health care would do more harm than good.

However, I do find troubling his complacent attitude towards our current system. This attitude can only be had by someone who already has access to good doctors and medicine. Mr. Smith is quite insensitive, as are most conservatives like him, to the needs of the people who aren't as lucky as he.

He generalizes those without quality health care as all being lazy. He says "health care is a privilege, not a right."

The truth is that the majority of people in this country who don't have adequate health care are hardworking people who don't happen to make enough money at what they do to afford some of the outrageous costs. These people deserve to see a doctor when they are sick. The children of the poor deserve to see a doctor just as much as the children of the rich. It should be a right.

Mr. Smith, take off your conservative blinders, and take a look at the struggles people are facing in this country while the politicians get their pockets greased by the very same insurance companies you trust so much.