Readers Write 10/6

HEALTH CARE

We all pick up the tab
for those who can’t pay

I was stunned to read Thomas Sowell’s “Not having health insurance not end of the world” (Opinion, Sept. 22). Sowell recalls how people would once simply pay for their health costs up front, or go on “the installment plan.” Today’s health care environment couldn’t be more different.

The cost of even a routine doctor’s visit has risen exponentially. The range and cost of medications is far, far greater. I cannot imagine how someone without insurance could pay for any part of his or her health care “out of pocket.” When they can’t pay, we all pick up the tab. I do not share Sowell’s fear of putting “dangerous arbitrary powers into the hands of government.” Neither do I believe this is even a baby step toward “totalitarianism.” I do believe the health care debate is simply one of the most important issues facing America. The status quo is not an option.

Robert Carr, Atlanta

POLITICS

Chambliss, Isakson are insulated from realities

Re “26,000 families slip into poverty” (News, Sept. 29): Last year, while Sen. Saxby Chambliss spent over a quarter of a million dollars on golf outings, 26,000 more Atlanta metro family incomes fell below the poverty line. Last year, while Sen. Johnny Isakson spent thousands on entertainment from his private campaign fund, the number of families in the metro area receiving public assistance rose by 21 percent. Everyone complains and worries about the state of our economy. I guess we can be thankful that there are at least two people whose lives are insulated from these harsh realities.

Don McAdam, Atlanta

SOCIETY

Tucker right on target about our compassion

Cynthia Tucker’s “Where did our compassion go?” (Opinion, Sept. 23) is right on target. Compassion, especially for the underdog, has been an American tradition most of my 80 years. It is a tradition of which I am proud, and it has motivated me to live the type of life which is satisfying as I approach that time I can expect my life to end.

“Where did our compassion go?” seems a more important sermon topic than, “Post the Ten Commandments on the courthouse lawn” for our churches today. Cedric Gifford, Acworth

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Let them fall on one another like wolves

At first, we were told that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Then, our purpose there was to get Saddam Hussein. Then, we wanted to establish a western-style democracy — then, just some kind of democracy. Now we are told our presence is needed in Iraq and Afghanistan to prevent a loss of face, and deny terrorists a base of operations.

Loss of face is not a valid reason to continue the loss of life and hundreds of billions of dollars. Denying terrorists a base of operations is almost laughable — considering the number of places on the planet which would willingly support them, from the jungles of the Philippines, to the deserts of Yemen.

Our appetite for ignorance is insatiable. Parts of the Middle East are still living in the 7th century, and violence is an acceptable and traditional means of conflict resolution. When we leave, they will fall on one another like wolves. I say, let them.

Ron Slade Sr., Covington