Here’s a plan for passing health-care reform

Here’s a plan for passing health-care reform

EDITOR:

Much is being said in both Congress and the media about the proposition of health care for everyone but so far not much has been done. Before I go any further I want to say that my wife and I have been on Traditional Medicare for about 18 years and about all I can say is thank God for Lyndon Johnson. According to some I guess that makes us Socialists but if so, so be it.

I have been following the media fairly closely and it seems there is almost as much concern for the insurance companies’ future in the matter as there is for the welfare of the uninsured. I would almost bet that most of the people who are against it already have adequate health coverage and really don’t care about those who are not so fortunate. Some say we can’t afford such a thing, although some of the insurance companies are apparently for it as long as everyone is forced to purchase coverage from them, not a program similar to traditional medicare.

As far as costs go there are two ways we could cut costs. The first would be, just don’t provide the care. The second would be to reduce payments to the providers, hospitals, doctors, drug companies, etc. I doubt any of those solutions would have the desired effect in the end.

Some say well, so many already have insurance now any change wouldn’t be fair to them, as if it is free. The truth of the matter is everyone, whether they themselves have insurance or not, pay for those that do. If you buy a car or any other item produced by someone who has health coverage through their employer you pay for their health care. If you pay taxes of almost any kind you pay for health care for the congressman, teachers. policeman, etc. even if you have no health-care coverage your self.

Why are we the only major country in the world that does not provide their citizens with assured health care when needed? Are they all wrong and we the only ones who really care about our people?

I can think of one sure way that this measure would pass through Congress. Tell each congressman if you think it is important then vote for it. If you don’t think it is important then vote against it, but if you do you will forfeit all government health coverage you have.

WINSTON SWAN

Hubbard

Americans should resist being conned yet again

EDITOR:

Americans were conned into believing there was an extreme urgency to pass the Stimulus Bill in January, or the country would collapse. Cap and Trade was likewise rushed through Congress before anyone could read the bill. Now Atty. David J. Betras suggests in an Aug. 2 letter that Republicans are conning the country and lying about the facts of national health care. Find out for yourselves at www.nchc.org, National Coalition on Health Care. Go to “Facts About Health Care,” then “World Health Care Data.”

We’re being told there is a health care crisis in this country, but there’s nothing wrong with our health care. There is, however, a health cost crisis, and one of the causes is that attorneys convince many Americans to sue over even the most frivolous injury or incident, knowing that insurance companies settle nearly all of these cases rather than incur the greater expense of a trial. It’s a win-win for the attorney and client, but everyone else loses by paying higher premiums. Fix this first with “loser pays” and real tort reform.

The Obama plan is a means to pay for health care by making us all pay more, and it will be all of us and not just the millionaires. When has our government ever run a program efficiently? The bureaucracy in this bill will be enormous. Government-managed health care means you will be told when you can see a specialist. In countries with national health care, the average waiting period between seeing a specialist and going to surgery is three months.

There are several provisions in the bill for “community organizations” to help out, and it looks like ACORN will be at the top of that list to provide hospice for those deemed too old for surgery or treatment. You also will be paying for the uninsured, including those that choose not to buy insurance and all the illegal aliens who use our medical facilities. In fact, we are paying for the illegals now through increased hospital charges to cover those losses from the uninsured. When some people can’t pay, the hospital increases the charge for an aspirin, for example, by a penny. Do you know what an aspirin costs in the hospital today?

Self-discipline and personal responsibility aren’t part of the health-care bill, either, but they should be. We should be teaching our children how to take care of themselves and others. Starting with basic First Aid in 6th grade, this should progress up through the 12th grade with military-style “Self Aid and Buddy Care.” One of the biggest reasons people rush to the emergency rooms is that they don’t know what to do for simple injuries and illnesses.

So when it comes to conning and lying to the public, it appears that we are now dealing with masters of the craft in this administration. We are all gradually being taken down the path toward socialism. We need to put the brakes on this socialist power train and bring it to a halt before we experience the greatest train wreck in history.

DONALD K. ALLEN

Youngstown

‘It is what it is’ isn’t an answer of which to be proud

EDITOR:

During my brief trip home for a Cleveland friend’s wedding, I was amazed to read last Sunday’s top headline: “’Welcome Home Jimbo’ countdown begins.” I was also amazed when I read the many comments on Vindy.com from readers supporting “Jimbo” on the basis that “everyone is corrupt” — as if that makes government corruption OK. The man is a convicted felon several times over. He is responsible for millions of congressional earmark dollars (pork barrel spending) being misappropriated for personal gain. Money that was supposed to shore up Youngstown’s infrastructure. That is not your standard political corruption favor, that is bilking your constituents out of opportunity, improved quality of life, and employment opportunities. Because of this man’s actions and the mentality of his supporters, I and many, many other young professionals, have left this town.

I now reside in Annapolis, Md., just minutes from Washington, D.C., where I suppose that most of “Jimbo’s” supporters would claim the greatest government corruption exists. I have met and befriended a number of lobbyists, campaign designers, and congressional aides in my time there, and I can assure you that the “Inside the beltway” political favors that are labeled corruption are a far cry from multiple felony counts — and no one celebrates those who stray across that very large, very clear legal/illegal line.

As a government teacher, I actually have a picture of “Jimbo’s” mug shot on my classroom wall. The caption below it reads: “Pay attention in government class, or this man could become your congressman.” The picture becomes part of my lesson plans each year: 1. When students ask “What is racketeering?” and 2. When I stress the importance of paying close attention to government actions and actively participating in government by voting, campaigning, or at the very least, writing a letter (or e-mail).

It embarrasses me to bring my wife home to Youngstown (she is an Annapolis native). I tell her about all the great things here, the people, the food, the atmosphere of so many local stores and restaurants — all to be undone by stories of parties for convicted felons, and other odd behaviors (grocery store picketers). My sense of pride in my hometown dwindles with each trip back. Youngstown, if you want your children to stay, and your grandchildren to know you, stop condemning yourself. Just because “that’s how this town is” doesn’t make it right.

JOSH CARTWRIGHT

Annapolis, Md.

You’re not in Texas anymore

EDITOR:

The assertions in an Aug. 9 letter to the editor about Mahoning County libraries are so inaccurate that they cannot go by without correction.

The writer attempts to draw a comparison between her former residence, Irving, Texas, and Mahoning County, in its number of libraries, and offers criticism based on that comparison. Irving, Texas, and Mahoning County, Ohio, are so very different by their nature that it’s an apples and oranges comparison. Irving is a densely populated city, smaller in size than our county. Mahoning County libraries have a responsibility to serve an area that is over six times larger. Providing service in Mahoning County with only three libraries, as the city of Irving does, would be doing our communities a disservice.

The letter suggests poor planning and fiscal irresponsibility, but Mahoning County’s library system is actually known to excel in both planning and financial responsibility. It is a public institution that operates within its means. It is debt free and audits by the state are consistently clean and solid.

We would like Mahoning County residents to know: it’s your library and it has grown over the past decade to better serve your community. Your library’s long-range planning encompasses research on facilities, demographics, consumer and industry trends, the fiscal environment, and a study of the needs and wants of the community that includes ample public input. Details of your ibrary’s strategic plan are online at: www.library2011.org/

The results speak for themselves. Despite a declining population, Mahoning County today has 30 percent more library users than it did in 2000 and use has increased by 43 percent. Over the past 20 years, half of the libraries in the county have been updated and improved. Your library has no debt and operates with a budget that is nearly the same as it had in 2000. You don’t get those kinds of results without solid planning and follow-though.

Today, your library system is experiencing the same unexpected economic decline that is rocking the nation. State funding to libraries comes from tax receipts. In this economic climate, fewer people are working and purchasing goods, which means fewer tax receipts. Add to that a state budget which cuts library funds even further.

We are grateful for our staff and patrons, who have demonstrated their confidence in this library system with their continued support. The dramatic losses in revenue will have an ongoing impact and, as is the practice, those managing your library system will continue to plan carefully and manage funds with prudence.

JANET S. LOEW

Library Communications/ Public Relations Director

Youngstown

Air show was a great event

EDITOR:

I had the opportunity to attend the Thunder Over The Valley air show last Saturday. In spite of some afternoon showers, we all had a wonderful time. Reasonably priced food and souvenirs and plenty of restrooms, too. Col. McGregor and his staff at the 910 put together and event that was very well organized and all the servicemen and servicewomen did a great job. It was very good to see so many of them walking around. They were very helpful.

I hope they’ll have another show next year and wish them continued success.

PHILIP RACZKA

Twinsburg, Ohio