Lowden out of touch with reality of working class

Todd W. Byington, Las Vegas

Monday, May 10, 2010 | 2:02 a.m.

Being a hard-core union Democrat, I doubt if Sue Lowden will take my health care question, so I thought I would ask the people of Nevada.

I have had ulcerative colitis since the age of 15. I am now 46, which means as an adult I have always had a “pre-existing condition” not covered under personally purchased insurance plans. (No life insurance carrier will touch me, either.)

Through my union purchasing power, I have been covered for some time now. It’s a good thing, too, as I was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and had radical surgery to save my life. My future holds chemotherapy and lots of hope for a normal life.

The bill for my treatments so far is currently more than $300,000. My question to the Republican candidate is this: If all my possessions don’t add up to the amount a doctor needs to save my life, would I be worth his time if I could never barter for my own survival?

I am alive today because of my union benefits’ plan and the prayers of my friends and family. I am very fortunate; many Nevadans are not. Support for a candidate who understands this real-life condition is important.

Would she be so smug if she had to barter for her life? Our good Sen. Harry Reid understands real-life situations like this one. I will support him and remind other Nevadans that Lowden doesn’t live in a working-class world.