Tina Aschennbrenner misjudges, mischaracterizes and underestimates just how informed the public is regarding healthcare reform with her letter last week (“Sees a dark side in Republicans over healthcare debate”).

Anyone opposing Tina’s predetermined position is characterized as ignorant, angry, mobs, yes-men, anti-reformers, fearful, ridiculous manifestations, mob mentality, cushy lifestyles, silly scare tactics and racist scapegoating, while she sees her side as eager to hear, quiet and respectful. So typical from a woman who rarely quotes anybody correctly and always seems to have some differing dubious account.

Tina’s slant is as predictable as the president contradicting himself. No wonder mistrust abounds.

The president tells us we need complete reform, yet says we can keep our health policies provided our insurance can meet the new regulations.

About 83 percent like their current plan, so why do we need complete reform? He claims government won’t come between patients and doctors but says he wants to create “a panel of experts” to provide “guidelines.”

In New Hampshire he said, “If we’re able to get something right like Medicare, then there should be a little more confidence that maybe the government can have a role.” Yet he then also admits the reality that Medicare is unsustainable.

Americans want answers before they make changes and spend trillions. They want to know why the IRS is involved, who will pay, why the CBO says millions will still be uninsured and why others will be forced into the government program. Many are more informed about the House bill than the president.

His changing message shows lack of leadership and reflects the drop in his poll numbers.

How many government programs do we already have that started with a lie, exceeded their budgets and created new problems so government could fix them?

One wonders if the “change” voted for was to allow our leaders to arrogantly and undemocratically push through legislation without reading it, without public debate and with little concern of the associated massive debt.

Voters are paying attention, and many are rightly concerned they’ll be left with more debt, more corruption, more inefficiencies, fewer choices and less freedom. Mike DiFatta Thousand Oaks