In the article “GOP boycotting panel’s work on climate change unhelpful” (Nov. 9), The Washington Post commented on the John Kerry-Barbara Boxer mark-up session regarding the climate bill legislation that passed the House and was sent to the Senate.

Listening to the many different voices on health care, I have been struck with how seldom the discussion addresses the common good of the nation. The discussion seems to always degenerate into the numbers of uninsured who would have access to health care if a health care bill were to pass.

Words are powerful. They can martial armies. They can arouse citizens to demonstrate against injustices. They can delude; they can enlighten. A political observer once said he who controls the language and the words can control debates .