It is time for the irrational demonization of universal health care to stop.

One need not look far to find substantial evidence that the health care systems of Canada, England and France are, while far from perfect, infinitely more humane and in keeping with the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath than our own greed-driven system.

Our Congress must stop listening to the pharmaceutical and health care lobbyists who think they run this country and start following the will of the people of this nation. Universal health care is not "pie in the sky," nor is it a platform for communism. If we are ever to throw off the tremendous burden caused by our current, horrifically broken health care system, we must choose a system that puts the health of our people above profits. In short, we must have universal health care.

Adam Burton, Aiken, S.C.