Letters to the Editors

Union leaders forget purpose

I read with interest the Times editorial (Feb. 26) in which the trials and tribulations of Toyota were chronicled. However, there was one glaring omission: the main reason President Barack Obama would like to be permanently rid of Toyota is because they refuse to employ union labor. The AFL-CIO has been at war with all non-union overseas auto manufacturers operating assembly plants in the U.S. for many years. Why? Because the unions believe that a company exists for only one reason -- to provide jobs, usually at inflated wage levels.

This is sad, because 50 years ago unions were in business to help the working class, and they did so magnificently. But rank and file union workers now have little say in their company's future; they are told how to vote, who to support politically. And always be ready to walk the picket line if you don't get the union rate. This is no fault of the workers; union leaders have forgotten that a company is in business for one reason -- to make a profit. They now care more about elegantly designed offices, the best cars, flying first class, etc. And they wonder why their numbers are dwindling.

JOHN BERGEN

Blame many ills on partisan politics

Does it really matter if our City Council members are Republican or Democrat or whatever?

The United States' current condition can be blamed in large part to these political parties going at each other all the time. The Democrats will not do anything the Republicans ask for, and the Republicans say "no" to everything the Democrats want.

So why in Heaven's name do we want a partisan Chattanooga City Council?

Does it make a difference? I think not. I want our City Council members to do what is best for Chattanooga, regardless of their political party.

Please, give us citizens a break from partisan politics here in Chattanooga.

PAT HAGAN

Don't peg property value just to school

In last Saturday's story (Feb. 27) about school choice, Tim Price, a resident of Hidden Harbor, is quoted as saying that the rezoning of his neighborhood for Hixson High School has negatively impacted his property value. While I do not know the particulars of why his property has lost value, I believe it is misguided to claim that the rezoning of the neighborhood is the reason for the drop.

Other residents of Hidden Harbor whose children attend Hixson High report quite different numbers. Jim Hart, a Hidden Harbor resident and proud Hixson parent, reports an increase of $50,000 in his property value since purchasing their home.

Within the same issue of Saturday's newspaper, Randy Durham, president of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors, reports that the median sales price for homes in Chattanooga plunged downward by 11.4 percent across the entire city for the month of January. Mr. Durham cites the decline in jobs in the area as the "stumbling block to a real estate recovery."

Clearly there are multiple factors that impact property values. It is a stretch to single out one home's appraisal and claim that the school zone is the reason for that value.

CHRISTINE COUCH

Principal

Hixson High School

Public viewed do-nothing GOP

I applaud president Obama for his summitt on health-care reform. The nation received a transparent view of these "Do-Nothing Republicans" of the party of "no."

What excellent exposure of John McCain, Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker and many other multimillionaires who have the audacity to call themselves "public servants." What a misnomer!

As Americans die every day without medical care, these do-nothing Republicans, of the party of "no," repeated their one talking point over and over again (as parrots):

"Scrap the present reform bill and start over, step by step."

Lamar Alexander was most vocal in calling for President Obama to "scratch" his plan and go back to the drawing board.

Lamar, this appeals to me, provided health-care coverage for each member of Congress is "scratched" until 30 million uninsured Americans receive theirs.

President Obama is one of the smartest presidents since Thomas Jefferson, and I am pleased he seemingly has concluded there is no bipartisan support from the party of "no." He now should use the budget reconciliation process to help the unfortunate with health care as George Bush did with tax cuts for the wealthy.

John, Lamar and Bob, this is not only the ethical thing to do, it is the Christian thing to do!

WELDON R. MARKHAM

State Democratic

Executive Committee

10th Senatorial

Committee

Many wouldn't give up medical services

Tuesday's Times editorial is frightening: 66 percent of Americans favored "government administered health insurance plan -- something like the Medicare coverage that people over 65 get."

Medicare's bankrupt. Medicare B gives recipients unlimited visits to doctors for $96.50 per month premium. Medicare A hospital care has no insurance costs for those over 65 or ones not receiving paychecks. Those working pay Medicare A premiums as part of FICA, with ratio of number paying/receiving dropping to about 2 for 1.

U.S. spends $2.5 trillion per year for health care for 300 million Americans, or about $8,000 each. U.S. government only pays (net) one-third of total. Companies and individuals pay remainder, or costs are charged off by providers.

How would it work if 300 million Americans paid only 12 times $96.50 per month when their health care costs seven times as much?

To meet goal of halving our $2.5 trillion expenditures to percentage of GDP, like socialistic European countries, what services would be cut? List would be long: medevac, EMT services, organ transplants, prosthetics, X-rays/scans, lab tests, fewer nurses/technicians -- and on and on. Are Americans willing to give these up? Companies and individuals could, if given choices. Doubt many would.

JOHN A. LYNCH JR.

Whitwell, Tenn.

We can use data to back own beliefs

I was fascinated with your editorial (March 2) concerning the Republican plan to block health care "reform" with their overwhelming minority in the House, Senate and White House. And thanks for including the sources of your information.

I have taken an hour or more on this snowy morning and visited both Web sites and have come to an interesting conclusion. If I read all four charts on the Kaiser site, I concluded that 61 percent are against the current plan but for reform based on a step-by-step approach.

Then, I studied the Commonwealth Fund Web site and found that the proposed plan will cut the annual growth of health care costs from 6.4 percent to 6 percent and that this doesn't solve the problem.

I am always amazed at my ability to cherry pick your reports and support a position that matches my feelings.

JIMMY CAMPBELL

Beck is really impressive, right?

County Commissioner Gregg Beck: "I didn't switch parties. I voted for my boss, and a man is a fool not to vote for his boss." Such courage! Such conviction! Such character! Wow, this guy just continues to impress, doesn't he?

MARK H. HOLDEN