Analysis of Appeals

Anyone who has been watched the news or read a news paper in the last 4 months probably knows that President Obama has been pushing for a new healthcare reform in the United States. The country, it seems, is undecided on whether or not they want to adopt Obama’s plan. To many, a government controlled healthcare system is quite scary. The article I have chosen was written by a conservative Republican against the proposed healthcare reform. The writer begins by using the appeal of logos. He states a theory on where the money for the reform will come from, and explains who it will affect. He believes that with a government owned healthcare system, taxes will drastically increase. The money has to come from somewhere, and even if you choose not to accept the government plan and stick with your own insurance, you still have to pay for everyone else’s. This is not necessarily a fact, however, it is a good prediction based on socialist ideas and reforms that have taken place in the past. He continues to appeal to logos by stating the extra costs of government run organizations. He gives examples, such as the post office, and Amtrak. He explains how organizations like these have no incentive to improve because they are a monopoly, and get everything they need from the government and our taxes. He goes on to explain the costs of government programs, and how private companies cannot compete with the government. Obama says that he wants his healthcare to compete with private insurance companies, but there really is no competition. The government makes the rules, and they will have such an advantage that they will destroy the private business. He believes that the end result of Obama’s healthcare reform will be total government control of healthcare. The entire article is an appeal to Pathos, playing on the emotions of the audience. The reader is angry, and perhaps has mixed feelings about their government after reading the article. Supporters of Obama and his healthcare