Readers Write 8/13

PERSONAL FREEDOM

Gates case is about everyone’s rights

With all the focus on race, Bob Barr is the only writer who raised the real question about the arrest of Henry Louis Gates at Harvard (“Gates’ arrest reveals loss of rights,” Opinion, Aug. 3). A man was arrested after entering his own home. So, he was black, and the officer was white, OK. In this post-Bush era, some of us, like Barr, want to know: Exactly what were the charges? For the past eight years, we’ve been saddened about, and some have even grown accustomed to, warrantless wiretaps, secret government programs and limitless imprisonment without charges. When did we give up the right to enter our own homes however we please? My entering my house through the chimney has nothing to do with homeland security. Imagine that — me and Barr on the same side?

David Bice, Kennesaw

MEDIA

Don’t highlight just one side of major debate

I enjoy my daily subscription, and usually find your paper balanced and well-informed. However, I was concerned about the motives underlying a front page article about a physician opposed to the health care changes being discussed in Washington (“Doctor’s orders: Change minds,” News, Aug. 2.) Sure, Dr. Todd Williamson is the president of the Medical Association of Georgia, but did his opinion warrant such coverage? Why was the opposing position scuttled into the back pages? Everyone should have a voice in your paper, but if you are going to put someone’s opinion on the front page, you should offer the opposing position right next to it.

Dr. Jesse B. Cannon, Atlanta

HEALTH CARE

Try industry reform via three smaller steps

I have followed the health care debate with interest, since I pay for my health insurance. It seems a complete revamping of the system will be almost politically impossible. If it is achieved, the price tag will apparently be nearly $1 trillion. Perhaps we should start with smaller steps. It seems there are three fairly simple things that could be done. Do away with the “pre-existing condition” rules allowing insurance companies to refuse coverage to anyone not in perfect health. This would allow coverage of many of the currently uninsured. Put a cap on medical malpractice awards, to reduce liability insurance costs for doctors and hospitals. Democratic leaders need to think of the country, instead of the lawyer lobby. Allow insurance companies to sell their policies across state lines. This would provide more competition, and eventually lower or stabilize prices. It seems to me that many Americans would be amenable to something similar to the above, instead of trying to reinvent the whole system.

Carl Tomberlin, Peachtree City

COLUMNIST

It’s fascinating watching Sowell fall apart

I had been one of those hoping the AJC would get a better conservative columnist than Thomas Sowell. No more. After reading, “He (Obama) is heading this country toward disaster ... which has every prospect of being an irretrievable disaster of almost unimaginable magnitude” (“Obama pushes United States toward disaster,” Opinion, Aug. 4), it’s obvious that Sowell is having a meltdown. I want a ringside seat. Please keep him.

Mike Canfield, Atlanta