How wrong are the critics of health care reform? Dangerously wrong - especially if you are a senior or an American with a disability.

When opponents of reform showed up this week at House Appropriations Committee chair Dave Obey's Wausau office, they didn't just advocate for blocking the House bill that would expand access to care.

They advocated taking care away from those who already have it.

The anti-reformers - who arrived at the behest of the Republicans in Washington and their allies in insurance industry front groups - announced that they do not merely want to block the reform bill that is likely to be voted on this weekend. They also want to see Medicare, the health care safety-net program for America's seniors, repealed.

Obey, who has gone out of his way to hear all sides in the debate, was in Washington when the protesters showed up. The senior congressman spoke to them by phone and even celebrated their right to express their unpopular views. "The great thing about America is that it's a free country and everyone is entitled to their own views," said Obey, after the protesters expressed opposition to the reform bill and Medicare.

But the congressman added: "Make no mistake about it, the vast majority of people in the 7th District do not favor repealing Medicare and they do not favor the status quo when it comes to health care."

"Since I first ran for Congress, I have made it quite clear that I agree with those who want health care reform. I have fought against the health care status quo for my entire career, and I intend to stick with my promise to vote for major reform when the bill comes before the House this weekend And when it comes to Medicare, not only do we have to protect it, we have to strengthen it to make sure that it continues to be there for all Americans."

Obey's right.

As for the foes of reform, they are starting to show their true sentiments.

And they are wrong - dangerously wrong.

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