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Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Dempsey Apartments

This is in response to the Monday article regarding the residents of the Dempsey Apartments. I found it hard to believe the hateful attitudes expressed. Of course some residents “congregate” outside. It is their home, and they have as much right to be in public as those sitting outside the bars, taverns and restaurants — never mind that the city of Macon has chosen to remove the benches around the Dempsey. Cleaning up the many decrepit buildings with rotting and torn off facades would improve the so-called image of downtown Macon more than harassing a few retirees.

There is no “aesthetic” problem with “seeing a bunch of old amputees around.” To say so sounds like the propaganda put out by the Nazis. In actuality, the Dempsey residents are Americans with the same rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as anyone else. The residents should be regarded as treasures instead of “aesthetic” problems. They are retired firemen, Naval ordinance plant munitions workers, and volunteers for many organizations, long-time church members, hospital workers, veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Most are survivors of the Great Depression of the 1930s.

All have a story to tell based on a lifetime of living and working through some of the most exciting and tumultuous times in American history., if only the self-ordained “beautiful people” would take the time to listen. Those who are offended by their presence should be ashamed.

— Dr. Thomas A. Riner

Lizella

Siding with companies

I am writing regarding the Thomas Day article “Military Notebook: Chambliss, Isakson defend vote against Franken amendment.”

Our two Republican senators from Georgia once again are blatantly siding with companies against their employees. This time they are trying to prevent employees from having the right to sue if they are raped or assaulted at work. Of course they are just trying to keep getting money from these companies and a little thing like rape or assault is not as important as that money. Their excuses for voting against this amendment are that “it would eliminate arbitration as an option” or “the employees’ only recourse would be to litigate in court.” Both are false charges, since nothing in the amendment prevents companies from attempting to settle out of court.

Both dishonorable senators want to hide the fact that the problem in the past has been that employees have not been able to sue for being raped or assaulted. The amendment will give employees that right. If a company is at fault regarding rape or assault, the court is the proper place to decide guilt or innocence and the appropriate punishment if the company is at fault. Senators Chambliss and Isakson are an embarrassment to all thinking Georgians. Their vote may help them get more money from companies, but it should deny them many Georgian votes.

— Allan E. Hastings

Warner Robins

Government control

The health insurance debate is not about providing health insurance for 40 or 45 million people. Remember, there are approximately 300 million people in America, and 40 or 45 million only represents approximately 12 or 15 percent of the population. So the government wants to change or tax 85 percent of the people to do something for the 12 percent or 15 percent without health insurance. This is about government having more power and control. Don’t be fooled.

— Tom O. Wagoner

President & CEO

Core Management Resources Group Inc.

Inexperience the cause

I could not help but notice Sunday`s Oct. 18 editorial pointing out the president’s dilemma over what to do in Afghanistan. His real dilemma is trying to keep his base happy, regardless of the outcome there.

The real root of his problem is the promises he made to his base, and it is affecting everything he said he was going to do during the campaign, from closing GITMO to all of the programs he said he was going to implement, which haven’t been.

His so-called “fly in the ointment” was his lack of experience (which was pointed out by many of his critics) and inability to grasp the magnitude of his promises. What is even more disturbing is his gullible followers believing what he was saying was going to happen.

Those who are now having buyers remorse should take off their rose-colored glasses and ask hard questions instead of accusing others of being biased.

— Darlis Whitworth

Gray

Can’t explain it away

Georgia’s Republican senators are saying by their votes against the Defense Appropriations Bill that no matter how they try to explain it, gang rape is OK if the company you work for has a government contract.

They have brought shame upon respectable Georgia citizens. It’s time for them to go. They do not represent Georgia any longer.

— Phillip Hull

Musella

Doc issues

When each of you are seen by a doctor, what do expect? What if you had two hernias and had arteries that were 92 percent to 96 percent blocked. Would you think your doctor would find these problems during three physical exams?. It gets even more questionable if the individuals who gets complaints surrounding medical malpractice looks the other way. Your Congress is about to give free care to millions. Who will be taken care of first? The fact is doctors fearing being sued will be inundated with threats of unfair care. America is in dire need of good doctors. Would you believe medical schools now work on a pass-fail basis? Would you pay $150,000 to $300,000 a year to be insured and then serve obese, filthy, alcoholics, drug addicts and HIV/AIDS patients that exist in every community?

As long as the waits are now, adding 20 million to 40 million folks will create more unhealthy care.

— Joe Hubbard

Macon

A dollar a day

Much anguish has been expressed regarding the extra cost of health-care reform — $829 billion over 10 years, as proposed. Dividing that by the U.S. population — 304,059,724 — gives $2,720, or $227 per person per year. Almost a dollar a day. Calamity. My breakfast-time Bud must go.

— Glenn S. Gibble

Bonaire

Flood/health insurance

I have recently read letters comparing flood insurance to health insurance; the comparisons on the surface sound logical. Unfortunately, health insurance will not work like other insurance; maybe it should be called something other than insurance. Insurance providers sell policies with the expectation of not paying claims either by the event not occurring or by denying payment. The trouble is health insurance companies try to use the same model as other insurances: deny claims, deny insurance to sick people or future sick people either by screening them out before selling the policy, not renewing, canceling coverage or raising prices so high coverage can’t be afforded.

What do we do with the people that the insurance companies have decided are not desirable/profitable? Take all their money and then let them die? That’s how insurance works, but it is not a moral way to run health care.

— Allan Stowe

Warner Robins

Hip pocket

It seems strange that writers frequently accuse the Telegraph of showing partiality to liberals. A recent example was the writer who said President Obama had the paper in “his hip pocket.”

In fact, the paper regularly publishes three very conservative columnists, one liberal and two moderates. It also publishes a majority of letters from ultra-conservatives.

My experience has been similar. During the past four months, I have written two letters to the editors. One of them praised President Obama for urging fathers to spend more time with their children. The other suggested that seniors, such as I (who have benefited greatly from Medicare), should support some type of health-care reform to help our children and younger adults without insurance. Neither was published.

Obama has the paper in “his hip pocket.” I don’t think so.

— Sara G. Landry

Macon

Prayer for today

Dear Lord, I am blessed to be part of the family of God where I find love and acceptance. You have also blessed me with my earthly family. May I show the same love and acceptance for my own family that you have shown for me. Amen.

— Submitted by Shirley McGhee Harvey

Warner Robins

Readers — ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and laypersons alike — are invited to contribute prayers for this daily feature.

Send them to “Prayer,” The Macon Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, GA 31213; or by facsimile to 744-4663; or online to letters@macon.com.