Readers Write 9/1

SOCIETY

Not my duty to pay for anyone else’s lifestyle

I resent a letter writer presuming to know the meaning of my statements (Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 26). When I say, “I don’t want to pay for somebody else,” I mean exactly that — anybody else. My husband and I pay for us and ours on modest incomes, and we contribute to charities as we choose, but I resent my country living at an intolerable debt level because the administration in charge believes it is my duty to also pay for others’ lives and lifestyles. Perhaps it makes the writer feel benevolent to cry the tired word “racism” without basis, but he is condescending — and throwing unnecessary fuel on an already huge blaze.

Betsy M. Kerr, Lilburn

MEDIA

Special report helps readers understand

I think everyone who contributed to the special report “Understanding what’s at stake” (Aug. 23) did a great job. Each of the major controversial aspects of this complex subject was covered in a fair and balanced way, and was presented in a manner that the average reader can understand.

Helene Camp, Sandy Springs

POLITICS

As usual, Georgia’s powerful get best deal

Nathan Deal’s “deal” is just another example of the “good old boy network” that has been in charge in Georgia for at least all of my 71 years (“Deal presses his firm’s need,” News, Aug. 23). The assertion that this type of access to power is available to any business person in Georgia is ludicrous. Today’s good old boys have a small “r” beside their name instead of a small “d.” Nothing else has changed.

Michael A. Harrington, Dunwoody

HEALTH CARE

Don’t be so lazy — 
read for knowledge

Our grandnephew read the Harry Potter book “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” in one week so he could earn the privilege of going to the recent midnight showing of the Harry Potter film, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

Now, what is it about the health care report released recently that some are saying is impossible to read? If a 10-year-old is motivated to read for pleasure, why is it that some mouthy adults can’t read for knowledge?

Dale G. Merkle, Atlanta

HEALTH CARE

With lower costs, need for insurance vanishes

It’s true that you do not understand a problem until it affects you. I recently had to go to a dentist. They could not determine the problem, and referred me to a specialist. I called this specialist, and was advised that there would be a consulting fee up front. I felt this fee was excessive and refused to make the appointment. We are constantly hearing about the lack of insurance for our poorer citizens, and how this affects their health care, but I realized it was not the lack of insurance that is the problem, but the cost of the care. It the cost were lower, then people would not need insurance. I have always been opposed to any type of nationalization, but this has made me change my mind. I feel the government must nationalize the medical area, and not just insurance, so all Americans can be protected.

Larry Parr, Atlanta