Mike Masterson wrote a great article this morning in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and I wanted to share it with you.

Darr keeps his word

By Mike Masterson

LITTLE ROCK — I respect a politician who actually keeps his promises. Way too many politicos I’ve known over the years have specialized in meaningless lip movement and deceptive, self-serving tactics.

So imagine the width of my smile to see Lt. Gov. Mark Darr live up to his campaign promise by joining in the lawsuit against the wildly unpopular Obamacare law. The public relations name for this unsustainable, politicized mess of a law is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Wow, “protection” and “affordable” in one title. Such illusion ought to earn some promotional wag a bonus.

Acting in his capacity as an individual, our Republican lieutenant governor filed an amicus brief in Missouri Lt. Gov. Pete Kinder’s lawsuit that echoes the sentiments of most Arkansans.

Twenty-one states thus far have filed a similar brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit in support of Kinder in his constitutional challenge to the individual mandate provision of the Democrat’s health-care law. Separately, more than 150 elected executive and legislative officials of states within the Eighth Circuit have filed a brief asking the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to reach a decision regarding the substantive constitutional issue and not delay resolving the case on procedural grounds.

Darr did his homework and understands just how unacceptable and unsustainable this health-care law truly is. “According to the Arkansas Department of Human Services there are currently 26 percent or 771,000 Arkansans on Medicaid,” he said the other day in a press release. “Once the health care law goes into effect in 2014 over 35 percent or 1,021,000 will qualify for Medicaid. The federal government will pay for 100 percent of the Medicaid expansion in our state through 2016, and then the amount will gradually be reduced to 90 percent by 2020. That means in ten years, the cost to the state will be about $200 million a year. This is unsustainable.

“As a small business owner,” Darr (a Northwest Arkansas pizza mogul) continued, “I fully understand the ramifications this law will have to small businesses across our state. I have had the opportunity over the last year and a half to speak with small business owners and major employers concerning this issue. They have been and still remain steadfastly opposed to the healthcare reform act.”

Kinder said he welcomed what he called “very significant and welcome” support for his challenge, including some kind words for Darr, commending him “for his willingness to step forward and lead on this crucial issue. [Darr] recognizes the individual mandate is an overreach of the federal government’s power into the lives of the citizens of Arkansas. I’m proud to stand with him as he joins this fight on behalf of the people of his state.”

Darr said he hopes the Eighth Circuit will move quickly to reach a just decision. Don’t most of us.