External force sinks ObamaCare
The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, has been blamed for the disappearance of numerous sailing vessels. Some explanations refer to the paranormal, or the suspension of laws of physics.
There appears to be an eerie correlation to the Obama/Reid/Pelosi (ORP) Triangle and the sinking of ObamaCare and other administration errant strategies, possibly due, not to the suspension of the laws of politics (imaginary of course) but to the affirmation of such laws.
Such a law might state that a political catastrophe in motion remains in motion unless an external force is applied.
Newton’s third law of physics states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Who would ever have suspected that a little-known statesman from Massachusetts would be the external force and opposite reaction to sink ObamaCare and more in the ORP Triangle?
BILL GALLAGHER
Signal Mountain
Leaders may sport corporate logos
I expect after next fall’s elections we will be seeing many congressmen and senators wearing the logos of their corporate sponsors.
DICK MOREL
Signal Mountain
Professor’s man a fictional hero
I had some laughs reading Professor Ellinger’s essay (Sunday Perspective, “President Obama Needs to Draw a Line in the Sand”). His model president is a fictional movie character. The “best political speech he has ever heard” is a fictional speech by this fictional character. In the speech, the fictional president begins by claiming to be a defender of the Bill of Rights, and shortly thereafter declares, in true dictator fashion, “I’m gonna get the guns” in violation of, well, uh, the Bill of Rights.
I also was amused by the professor’s advice to President Obama not to compromise his health care principles. Apparently he meant don’t compromise with Republicans, which is curious since the offending compromises were with congressional Democrats. If he meant that the president should not compromise with Democrats either, then the advice is a prescription for failure. The Constitution vests “all legislative powers” in the Congress. If congressional Democrats insist on crafting legislation that offends the president’s health- care principles, then the president’s only options are to accept or veto the legislation. Real presidents are not dictators like the professor’s fictional hero.
DAVID L. MOSS
Signal Mountain
Give Obama time before grading him
I was born in 1933, the year the textbooks say was the worst year of the Great Depression. Franklin D. Roosevelt had been in office over a year. What his administration had put into motion to pull the nation out of the Depression had not yet worked. By the end of 1934, however, it was evident that employment was up and the economy had begun to turn around. FDR was re-elected in 1936.
Can’t we give Obama the time the nation gave FDR before giving him a “D” or “F” grade? If we need to grade Obama now, let’s just give him an “I” (Incomplete). I believe he will deserve an “A” before 2012 — just what the nation gave FDR the last year of his first term.
R. LYNN SAULS
Now is the time to pass reform
Dear Democrats: Pass the Senate’s health care legislation now and use reconciliation. You are one step from a win for the ages. The poor, the middle class and the economy are counting on you. You’ll have to defend your previous votes anyway. Bring it home.
I know the opposition and their media are unified and they’ve defined the debate so far. But surveys show that support strengthens when Americans learn the actual details. Pass it, then run on its merits in the fall. It’s a big winner for you.
Realistically, this is your only chance, so fight you must. It’s who you are. Do you think battles over Social Security, Medicare, the GI Bill, or civil and suffrage rights were any easier? Your opponents are well-funded, but their arguments are thin and self-interested. Defense of health-care reform will compel your supporters to the polls and you will win.
Pass it quickly. Delay will embolden more obstruction on other critical legislation. The credible experts are on your side. Benefits for our health and wealth are indisputable. And despite the mantras of the opposition, health-care reform will enhance our freedom, productivity, and creativity as a nation. Pass it now.
DARRELL MORGAN
Signal Mountain
Hiring policy is discrimination
The recent articles regarding the corporate hiring policy of Memorial Hospital has brought transparency to the nicotine war that is being waged against smokers across America. You will not hear me claim they don’t have the power to implement the policy, but you will hear me say the science and supposed reasons are flawed.
I would agree that older smokers are at risk for some serious illness, but so are all other older workers. Non-smokers have already banned smoking virtually everywhere by now so the war has already been won, but to take a person’s livelihood chances away is draconian and deplorable.
So let this be a lesson to smokers about what discrimination to expect. In a right-to-work state it’s obvious you have no rights. Oh, and by the way, overweight people, “You’re next.”
DOUGLAS E.
STEWART
Georgetown, Tenn.
Provide equal education chances
Until recent news regarding Dawn School, I was unaware that Hamilton County provided a separate building with specialized care for mentally ill students.
As a parent of a child with a disability I am wondering if there are any more special schools. My son, who has autism, has to attend a large, overcrowded school with hundreds of other students. Although he is in a separate classroom for part of the day, he has to walk through crowded hallways, eat lunch in a noisy cafeteria and take classes with students who are far more socially advanced than he is.
If Hamilton County would provide a separate school for kids with autism he could excel. He would not have to always try and adapt to all the other students’ routines, and it would give him the freedom to be himself. If Hamilton County can provide such a wonderful learning environment for one disabled population, they should do the same for all types of disabilities. Why not provide separate schools for students with autism, deaf, blind, mentally challenged, and physical disabilities so that all special needs students can succeed? School officials, please give all students equal opportunities to learn.
PATRICIA WILLIAMS
American products stimulate economy
Just recently I was listening to President Obama in Ohio say to the people that he wanted jobs created doing infrastructure, building bridges, fixing roads putting the people back to work.
Well, good for him, but, has he been to his local stores recently? Probably not. Well I was, and tried a little experiment, to find American-made.
Well, in one of the big stores in Hamilton Place seems that everything I picked up, made in China, made everywhere else but, the U.S. of A.
Now we all got the so-called stimulus checks to stimulate the economy. Wow! More money to purchase made in everywhere else but the U.S. of A.
I challenge everyone to look for made in the U.S. of A. and let’s buy “made in the U.S.A. That’s how you create jobs Washington! Create jobs here. Don’t create jobs over there!
Until we get someone with some American pride in Washington it just won’t happen. Raise the import tax like the oil companies raise oil prices on supply and demand! Create jobs here by using American products! Quit buying non-American made, people. That’s how we can create jobs and bring back America! Sorry Wal-Mart, Sears, JCPenny, Target; sometimes the truth hurts.
WILLIAM B. MURPHY
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Election results show who’s who
A truly thoughtful comment followed last week’s Massachusetts election returns:
In 2008, Independent voters proved that Americans were not racists.
In 2010, Independent voters proved that Americans were not socialists.
JACK MCDONALD