The Republicans are complaining about the length of the House's draft healthcare bill: 1,900 pages. To put their carping in context, the scholar Norman Sherry wrote a three-volume biography of one man, the English writer Graham Greene, numbering roughly 2,500 pages.

If succinctness is the Republicans' basis for judgment, I suggest that they consider this resolution: Be it resolved that all American citizens shall be covered by health insurance.

SANFORD J. SMOLLER, South Miami

`Anti-Crist' strategy

The Miami Herald has become the anti-Crist (Charlie, that is). Virtually every day there is an article, column commentary, cartoon or editorial bashing the popular Florida governor and U.S. Senate candidate.

Your strategy is obvious. Convince Florida Republicans to nominate Marco Rubio, whose conservatism would be a sure loser against any liberal Democratic Senate candidate (no doubt Kendrick Meek would be your choice). With the election 12 months away, aren't you announcing your political preferences prematurely?

MARTIN FRIEDMAN, Miami Beach

No to GOP plan

Re Rep. John Boehner`s Nov 4 Other Views column, Republicans have a much better plan: The Republican leadership have finally come forward, albeit nine months late and at the 11th hour, offering a plan to address healthcare reform.

Unfortunately for Boehner, analysis of the Republican alternative by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determines that the proposed plan will, over 10 years, reduce the number of uninsured -- currently 45 million -- by three million. This projects leaving a full 17 percent of our population lacking coverage by 2019, exactly the same rate of uninsured we have today.

According to the CBO, the Democratic plan will cover 12 times as many people and save approximately $36 million more than the Republicans' better plan.

JOHN ISE, Biscayne Park

Bill a monstrosity

The AARP has endorsed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's version of the ObamaCare health program, a monstrosity that will put our grandchildren in back-breaking debt and probably bankrupt our nation. The 1,990-page bill will be read by few of those to whom it has been distributed. Obviously, it killed a lot of trees, and, if it becomes law, may kill many fetuses and seniors.

I will send AARP my resignation from membership and a request for a pro-rata refund of the dues I have paid through next year.

I.C. GRIFFITH JR., Miami

Here's to Maine

I wish to congratulate the voters of Maine, a liberal state, for rejecting the counterfeit and oxymoronic notion of ``same-sex marriage.''

The vote is significant because we are dealing with forced affirmation of homosexuality under penalty of law.

This is a historic battle for the minds and souls of our children.

Gay marriage has now lost in all 31 states in which the question has been put to a popular vote.

The time has come for a federal constitutional amendment banning homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

GERRY JONES, Miami

Plenty there already

Gov. Charlie Crist wants us to believe how much he cares for Florida and its people. He demonstrated this recently when he signed the bill that removed developers' obligations for infrastructure improvements (roads, schools, etc.).

This demonstrates the governor's lack of sound judgment and integrity.

Now he wants to become a U.S. senator.

We already have a plentiful supply of self-serving politicians in Congress representing only themselves.

MICHAEL C. GRANT,

Southwest Ranches