Speak Out 7/14/09

No. 1 health care

I read Bob Hill's pessimistic piece about the deteriorating quality of U.S. health care. Cheer up, Bob. I promise you that President Obama's coming health-care reform will restore our position as the No. 1 health care system in the world.

Health care

TO those who say President Obama's health care plan is bad: If you ever lose your job and have to pay $600 a month, I am sure you will change your tune. Both Medicare and Medicaid are good programs. This will keep the private sector from ripping off people.

Medical privacy

I received a call from a company wanting me to order my diabetes supplies from that company. Several other people I know with diabetes also received calls. How did the company know I have diabetes? This is a violation of federal privacy laws. I wonder who else is out there illegally viewing our medical records.

Police patrols

I'm glad to see our police patrolling Mount Auburn Road. Even with the construction going on people are driving like it was the Indy 500. Maybe a couple of tickets will slow them down.

Appalling decision

I'm a lifelong resident of Jackson and am appalled by the actions of the board of aldermen in trying to ban fireworks without any citizen input. How dare they try to take away this privilege for their own personal reasons?

Time for reform

We have been debating the specific merits of much needed health-care reform ever since the days of Richard Nixon. The Southeast Missourian editorial board would like you to believe we're involved in a rush to judgment on the issue. In the words of the classic rock band, The Who, "We won't get fooled again."

Arrogant decision

What causes me the most dismay about this past Fourth is the action of the Jackson alderman. To vote to change an ordinance that was not on the agenda and without consulting the city attorney strikes me as arrogant. One member complained that his pets were agitated. Another was worried about "condoning the sale of bombs to children." Pets do not understand the Declaration of Independence and its meaning to the American people and what fireworks represent. I can raise my children to know the difference between a firecracker and a bomb. I do not need a Jackson alderman to do this for me. What concerns me even more is the arrogant attitude that seems to be pervasive in all levels of government. When our elected officials do not think of society as a whole and pass laws based on their own pet peeves, they should not remain in their elected positions.

Media managers

IF you're wondering how President Obama continues to get great treatment in the press while unemployment increases, his foreign policy stumbles and Democrats are grabbing for power, you should check out the White House annual salary report. Obama is spending $100,000 a week on media offices and speechwriters to manage the media. I guess this is good for him, but I don't think it's good for the country.

Mediocre care

WHAT measure does the Missourian editorial writer use when suggesting that the U.S. health-care system is universally recognized as the best in the world? When you look at percentage of population well served, life expectancy or infant survival, the U.S. system rates as mediocre at best. The only arenas in which the U.S. system flourishes is income of the medical profession and medical service acquired by the most wealthy Americans. In fact, the medical system is so broken that its resolution comprises an emergency. Presumably, your editorial writer is among those with enough money to benefit from the medical system and has no concern for the millions who lack decent health care. This, regrettably, comprises a rather typical Republican "me first" attitude.