Letters to the Editor for Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Honest debate, real reform needed
In the debate about health care legislation, I find three things missing.

Click to send

Second, what will be the costs to our economy if we do not rein in the costs of health care? It is not wages that are sending manufacturing jobs overseas, but the costs of health care on top of wages. The cost of health care is rising faster than anything else in our economy. Do you think your employer (or you if you are self-employed) will be able to afford health insurance in 10 years if the costs continue to rise at their current rate?

Finally, why are those who have and like their government health plan, crying they don’t want the government offering a plan to others? I do not hear seniors, veterans or members of Congress saying they want the government to drop their health care plans for a private option. The majority of seniors and veterans are happy with their health care coverage. Members of Congress have one of the best health care plans available. All government plans.

Many people have expressed legitimate worries about the form health care legislation will take, the impact on our economy and the care we all receive. These are legitimate concerns and need to be debated.

Debated, not pilloried by one camp or another.

I worry that many who call themselves patriots are pressing the health care issue on the chance that our president will fail and, like 16 years ago, there would be a change of parties in power in Congress. Is this really being patriotic? I have always thought a patriot loved his country more than all else, especially political party.

Let’s have an honest debate about health care. Let’s leave the public option on the table. Let’s have meaningful health care reform now.
BRIAN JABLONSKI
Lynchburg

It’s not about race
I am a conservative. I do not agree with President Obama on almost everything from global warming to health care. That said, here comes the shocker: I am not a racist!

Furthermore I am sick and tired of that being insinuated every time anyone disagrees with him. When I first heard that the president was going to speak to school children, I was concerned that he would push his socialist agenda. Of course, I quickly found out that was not the case. Either way, I told my child to be respectful and to listen to what he had to say.

The uproar about Obama is not about his skin color. It is about his ideas, policies and spending. This country does not need massive heath care reform. I pay for my own health insurance, 100 percent, and that’s OK, because it’s my responsibility, not anyone else’s, and certainly not Obama’s. I think that I am part of a growing majority who believe this way, and it’s time our lawmakers start listening.
MELANIE BLAIR
Monroe