Readers Write 10/8

HEALTH CARE

A soda tax won’t curb the problem of obesity

“Should health policy include taxing unhealthy foods, drinks?” (Opinion, Oct. 27) suggested a tax on sweetened drinks as a way to address the nation’s obesity problem. Dr. Stanley Cohen seems to make a very reasoned argument, and there is no doubt that we must do something about America’s obesity epidemic. The trouble is, a tax won’t help.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says 25 states already have soda taxes. Despite these taxes, obesity rates continue to rise. The truth is, obesity is a complex problem with multiple causes. As a dietitian, I know the single biggest contributor to the obesity epidemic is over-consumption of all foods. Excessive intake combined with sedentary lifestyles has led to this obesity epidemic. The reality is that there is a place for all foods, including sodas, in a balanced diet, but there is not a place for a soda tax that will increase grocery bills without decreasing waistlines.

Trisha Hardy, Decatur

Whether GOP likes it or not, change is coming

Republicans support health care reform, so long as it doesn’t change anything. But change is coming! Republicans bluster, filibuster and blather their bankrupt ideology. But no one is listening. Republicans’ “bold and principled ideas,” such as tax cuts for the rich and deregulation of financial markets, are thoroughly discredited. Republicans’ advocacies for limited government, fiscal prudence and balanced budgets are belied by their actions.

The Reagan Republican brand of conservatism is like communism — a historical aberration no ordinary people believe in anymore. It sounded good for a while. But when it delivered on no promises, plunged the country into war, trashed the economy, starved the middle class and ran up the national debt, the people saw it for what it was — a sham — and sent it on its way. Now out of power, the Republicans’ sole contribution to fixing our nation’s woes is to just say, “No.”

William MacLeod, Atlanta

Don’t forget that doctors have basic rights, too

Regarding the question “Do Americans have a basic human right to health care?” (Opinion, Oct. 22), both pro and con arguments missed the real point.

The pro argument of Dr. Robin Miller claims that because the government can, it should. There is no end to this principle. The government continually expands until it tries to provide everything we could possibly want for our welfare.

Alternatively, professors Nathan Gray and John Van Vliet argue that health care isn’t a right only from an accident of the Constitution. However, we cannot choose to define health care as a right without interfering with a more basic right.

Claiming a right to health care asserts that we have a right to take someone else’s labor. The desire for good notwithstanding, confiscating someone’s production to pay for another’s happiness is not the Christian thing to do.

Would-be doctors will avoid professions where the government controls their “pursuit of happiness.” Ultimately, the attempt at securing the “right” to health care can only lead to the denial of it, through shortages. Americans do not have a basic human right to the work of others.

Douglas Burger, Lawrenceville

Money to take lives, but no money to save lives?

Thousands of Americans die each year because they can’t afford health care. We need Medicare for everyone now, to stop this unconscionable death toll. In the past, Congress had unlimited money to invade Iraq and kill its civilians, who did nothing to us, and we have billions to give to Israel to slaughter Palestinian civilians. What kind of country has trillions of dollars to kill others, but no money to heal their own citizens?

Gloria Tatum, Decatur

MILITARY

VA has always been slow to process GI Bill claims

Having served in the Marine Corps, and having used the GI Bill to attend college and law school, I can assure recent veterans that long waits for education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs are nothing new (“GI Bill beginning to look like an IOU to many vets,” Opinion, Oct. 29). It was several months before I received my first GI Bill payment. Did any senator make a big deal about it then the way Sen. Jim Webb is doing now? No. The only reason it is a “big deal” is that Webb feels he can grandstand a bit.

The VA has always been slow to process GI Bill claims, and until the Congress and the president commit some funds and change the culture of the VA, it will be slow. I am sure that the VA will speed up its claims for a short time if this story gets enough play. However, because America has a short attention span, the politician’s “outrage” at the VA’s incompetence will die down eventually, and the VA will be back to business as usual: slow and incompetent.

William Musgrove, Atlanta

ELECTIONS

Candidates’ robo-calls don’t have desired effect

My family and I have recently been barraged by political robo-calls around the clock. They come from every candidate running for every position — some as early as 6:30 a.m., and some as late as 9 p.m. As a U.S. citizen, I don’t even have the option of stopping this harassment. To all the candidates: receiving these calls makes me want to vote for you even less. I don’t care that my “neighbor,” Ms. X from east Atlanta, has lived here all her life and thinks you’re the savior of all our woes.

Stalking is supposed to be a crime. I want to be able to take out a restraining order.

Chuck Tedder, Atlanta