Letters to the Editors

Continue fight against health bill

To all who voted against the health care bill:

I want to thank you. We do not need this bill as it will destroy Americans' freedoms and put us under the thumbs of the government so they can control all aspects of our lives.

Please continue to fight this bill as well as cap and trade. Let's not end up like many countries that are socialist. America was founded on freedom.

The health care bill is unconstitutional. No one should be threatened with prison for not wanting the government to control them.

Thank you again for voting no. and please continue

ANGEL EARWOOD

Trion, Ga.

Leaders looking to trim 'generation'

Ten short years ago, Tom Brokaw wrote a book entitled, "The Greatest Generation Speaks." On the back cover of that book he said, "When I wrote about the men and women who came out of the Depression, who won great victories and made lasting sacrifices in World War II and then returned home to begin building the world we have today -- the people I called the Greatest Generation -- it was my way of saying thank you. But I was not prepared for the avalanche of letters and responses touched off by that book -- more stories and wisdom from that generation and time. I had written a book about America, and now America was writing back."

My, my, how 10 years does change things. Now Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barrack Obama want to assist in getting rid of what is left of this generation by reducing their Medicare to the bare bones. We are not gone yet, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Reid and President Obama. We shall see you at the polls!

DARDEN NEWMAN

Signal Mountain

Both parties on same path

One doesn't have to peel too many layers of the onion to realize that the efforts of both parties are leading to a single-payer medical system. The Democrats prefer it, and many are honest about this. Others cloak themselves in the falsehood that private payers will be more "honest" when "competing" with a public option. Never mind that insurers already must obtain government approval on rates and benefits before marketing policies.

Republicans, on the other hand, with their cries of "individual freedom," belie the reality of the current system. They claim people should have the choice to buy insurance. The fact is that every American, citizen or resident, legal or "undocumented," has access to emergency care, the most expensive and wasteful form of health care. No one opts out of this health care system.

If insurers can only spread the cost of health care over a small base of those needing health care at that moment, then it doesn't take a Nobel Prize-winning economist to know that business structure won't last for long. The public option, on the other hand, can spread costs across all taxpayers and will ultimately destroy the private sector with which it claims to compete.

PAULA HINES

Other health care proposals exist

I, like many others, am not opposed to health care reform. Instead, I'm opposed to the function of reform expressed in Rep. Nancy Pelosi's bill and others promoted by the Obama administration. Pelosi's bill would essentially bankrupt our country within 20 years.

Apart from popular conception, these bills aren't the only proposals to reform our health care system. However, given the majority situation in Congress, these alternative proposals aren't receiving serious consideration.

For example, allowing insurance companies to compete across state lines, which they currently do not, would remove effective insurance monopolies in the states, driving premiums down and improving access to care. Providing government control of health care would restrict access to care (see the United Kingdom, Canada, France, etc.) and increase premiums over the long run (as the government would have to raise premiums to offset costs). The government has proven it cannot effectively run a health care program (i.e. Medicare/Medicaid).

You think you have poor access to affordable health care now, wait until Pelosi's bill becomes law and you are legally required to carry health care at prices that are above the current prices, and you are forced to apply and go through a waiting period for approval for certain services!

JOSH PAUL

Signal Mountain

Personal democracy is what's needed

The health care bill approved by the House is nobody's fault but mine. Where was I?

No longer can I stand idly by and watch in comfort from afar. My health is my future; my health is mine. It's what I hope people toast my name to. It's not for government to assign, allocate or administer. No longer can I sit here and exhort with high emotions about the current path my government is taking with my health.

That's the rub. Here's where we start to soothe the pain. Today, I realized that representational democracy is not enough. Today, to affect the great change I believe in I now want to encourage personal democracy. Personal democracy is where I personally take charge.

We see others who have already taken charge in their democracy. Great leaders of this nation gathered outside Congress last week to show with their commitment, actions and words that this is more of their democracy than it is mine. They are what is great in America; they are making it their personal democracy. Now I am going to make it mine as well.

I only have myself to blame. Representation isn't enough; personal responsibility is the only path to an enlightened democracy.

NOLAN WEHR

Dalton, Ga.

State residents usually wrong

Traditionally Tennesseans have been on the wrong side of history. Indian removal, slavery, Civil War, prohibition, monkey trials, segregation, civil rights, red state Bush voting, anti-health insurance reform ... you name it!

Are you proud?

But, before you say "Tennessee, love it or leave it," know that I live on the same ground since William Thompson moved here in 1833, (if) you don't count my Cherokee blood. So, I ain't leavin'.

If you ever voted for Zach Wamp congressman or intend to vote for Zach Wamp governor, I hope you lose your health insurance coverage.

JOHN WILLIAM BERRY

THOMPSON IV

Wamp must do what is right

Fortunately, our federal House of Representatives made history by recently passing HR 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. What is unfortunate is that the Republicans could not see the benefit for all Americans and not just for the privileged few. Of course, among those voting against the passing of this bill was our own Rep. Zach Wamp. It is our hope that when this bill comes to a final vote, that Rep. Wamp will take his head out of the sand and see the light and error of his ways. Wake up, Rep. Wamp, and do what's right for all Americans.

ELIZABETH &

HAROLD DEHART

Spring City, Tenn.

Give paper carriers due consideration

Punctuality and predictability are attributes we all appreciate, but perhaps never as keenly as when we are expecting a delivery. We all expect delivery on time, and those expectations unfulfilled frustrate all of us.

I would like to speak for the carrier on your street who delivers your newspapers. Every carrier desires the good will of those to whom he delivers, especially as holidays approach.

When carriers arrive at their "center" they expect their bundled papers to be there, ready to be assembled, rolled, bagged, loaded and delivered by the deadline. Most of these carriers are on a tight schedule, going on to their regular job within moments of completing their route.

When the bundles arrive late to the center, delivery at his usual time is impossible.

Carriers rush to make up lost time, but speed contributes to misplaced papers, overlooked driveways and tubes, not to mention risks taken in ever-increasing morning traffic.

My plea to each subscriber, on behalf of these carriers, is this: Please don't penalize your carrier for the lack of predictability we all have experienced these last few months.

Carriers are generally conscientious and desirous to deliver your paper complaint-free. They deserve your consideration.

CLIF ROTH

Hixson