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Public option, health care reform worth it now and later
If you are against a public option for health care coverage, I must assume one or all of the following:
(1.) You are employed by a health insurance company. (2.) Your premiums, deductibles and co-pays have stayed the same over the past five years. (3.) Your "net worth" is so high that medical costs are irrelevant. (4.) You are following the Republican Party's leader Rush Limbaugh in "hoping this president fails."
The inflationary rate attached to health care will make premiums to insurance companies the largest expense in your budget in just 10 years. You will be going to work each day to keep your health insurance. A new house or car will have to wait.
Dennis Smith
Mooresville
Health care proposal should be required reading for Congress
Over 1,900 pages for a health plan! What a joke. How many members of Congress have read it? If you look through the entire plan, it is no doubt filled with pork/earmarks. In other words, it is still "my vote is for sale."
Every one of the 535 members of Congress should have to read about four pages, then write a one paragraph explanation of what was said and the key point.
Richard Lynch
Charlotte
In response to "Burr is right; Obama's stimulus is unaffordable and has failed" (Nov. 2 Forum):
Agree with Burr? You've been drinking GOP Kool-Aid
Guy Wilson seems to be a perfect example of the "rush to judgment" ultra-conservative wing of the GOP. By agreeing with Sen. Burr that the stimulus has been a failure, he walks lockstep with those who agreed with President Bush when he declared "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq! How did that work out?
President Obama's stimulus package was not designed to provide an instant fix for our economy since the meltdown of 2008 occurred slowly, through a lack of regulation and oversight. To declare the stimulus a failure after less than a year is a failure to recognize the facts.
Wilson continues to perpetuate the myth that the pro-business, anti-employee GOP knows what's best for the American people.
Doug Samut
Mooresville
In response to "Obama honors 18 fallen Americans at Dover Base" (Oct. 30):
Obama disrespects fallen with photo-op mourning at Dover
Numerous times our previous president visited with our wounded warriors, unannounced and with NO photographers in tow. It is reported he shed tears with their family members.
Our current president? His first visit since being elected came in the middle of the night after only one of 18 families agreed to letting pictures be made.
Conclusion? Photo op, pure and simple.
Coy Powell
Charlotte
In response to "Whose Vision Will Voters Choose?" (Nov. 2):
Voters could have used info when early voting started
Jim Morrill, Steve Harrison and Eric Frazier are to be commended for this three-part article. It was illuminating and probably helpful to the many who will vote. The listing of candidates' pictures, voting districts and the desired governing board for service was informative. But 23,663 citizens have already exercised their "early voting" privilege. Early voters could have used this information Oct. 15 and thereafter.
Vernon M. Herron
Charlotte
Editor's note: Since Aug. 26, council candidates' stands on issues and personal information have been online at www.charlotteobserver.com/citycouncil. Updated information on those and other candidates can be found at www.charlotteobserver.com/politics
Candidates, stop the robocalls if you want a vote from me
To the candidates who have bothered me at home with the recorded messages, I have kept a list. You will not be getting a vote from me.
Enough is enough. My phone is for MY use and the use of my family and friends and businesses I have asked to contact me. If you want to pay my phone bill every month, then you can call me all you want.
Martha Swander
Charlotte
In response to "CMS board still split on assignment plans" (Oct. 28):
Myers Park IB success threatened by proposal
I was shocked and insulted by a school board member's comment at the Oct. 27 meeting that if Myers Park IB students don't want to go to East Meck, they aren't loyal to the IB program, only to the school. Well, I AM an MPHS IB student, and I AM committed to the IB program - at Myers Park.
Let's face it: Myers Park's IB program has developed an infrastructure of highly skilled students and teachers that East Meck has not matched, as good a school as it is. Just as a championship football team needs a good quarterback, good offense and defense, and a good coach, Myers Park needs its mix of students and teachers with diverse skills in order to do well. This mix is exactly what is threatened by a proposal to rip part or all of the IB program from Myers Park.
Derrick Flakoll
Charlotte
Booming 'Thug Class' shows civilized behavior not taught
I've noticed we have a new social class in the country today. I call it the Thug Class and it is growing by leaps and bounds. This class is made up of mostly young, under 30, males of all races and socio-economic backgrounds. The common thread seems to be a total lack of civilized behavior.
The Thug Class won't hesitate to rob, rape and kill others and laugh when they retell the deed to friends. But most disturbing is that they don't care if they are caught and imprisoned. Let us recognize the problem now and not wait until more are victimized. Children are NOT born civilized. Civilized behavior MUST BE TAUGHT and we as a nation are doing a poor job teaching our young people this.
Rick Wingate
Mooresville
Don't block sidewalks; they're vital transportation corridors
The writer is Built Environment, Safe Routes To School Coordinator, Mecklenburg County Health Department.
The difference Charlotteans place on the importance of streets versus sidewalks is evident when you see residents taking the liberty of blocking whole sections of sidewalks with piles of yard debris. Would those same citizens even think they could get away with blocking a street in that manner?
Sidewalks and streets are both important transportation corridors and neither should be able to be closed to others at the whim of private citizens.
Dick Winters
Charlotte
In response to "It's a charade to believe that government can create jobs" (Nov. 2 Forum):
I worked in union shop; unions don't run corporations
Matthew S. Wall said in part "We can look to GM and Chrysler for inspiration as to why unions and government shouldn't run major corporations."
As someone who worked more than 36 years in a closed union shop for a major railroad, I can emphatically assure you that the unions do not run the corporation.
Donald J. Price
Charlotte
World class is a pipe dream; can we try for interesting?
Charlotte will never achieve world-class status unless several dozen other cities drop off the face of the Earth. Could we please just strive to become a prouder and more interesting place and stop all of this world-class drivel? It's embarrassing.
John Howard
Charlotte
