INEQUALITY
Many conservatives wage war on the poor
These days, it seems rather predictable that certain prominent conservatives would accuse Pope Francis of advocating Marxism — this, following his pronouncement that growing income inequality is detrimental to the world and contrary to church doctrine.
Today’s version of a conservative may often be construed as one who loudly pays lip service to the teachings of Christ — but when it comes to sharing wealth with the unwashed masses, not so much. Many of today’s conservatives are indeed, sadly, waging war on the poor. Many are preparing themselves for an actual war — or revolution — by stocking up on weaponry.
The future of our heretofore great society depends on this condition, the growing gap between rich and poor, being remedied by courageous leaders — who are nowhere to be found.
BIRNEY A. MONTCALM, WINSTON
COMMENTARY
Cartoonist’s drawings help us see both sides
I look forward every morning to Mike Luckovich’s political cartoons. What a breath of fresh air!
Some of my fellow Georgians would prefer that we remove any opinion that might promote critical thinking. I dare say that some of the commentary on the right, although not as clever, has been downright offensive. I take it that’s OK. The idea is to take a look at what differing opinion looks like, saving us from narrow-mindedness.
Keep it coming, Mike Luckovich!
BILL HALLAS, LAWRENCEVILLE
HEALTHCARE
GOP’s Obamacare alternative might reduce deficit
In his Dec. 18 column on H.R. 2300, the Empowering Patients First Act – a health care reform bill I’ve introduced in the House of Representatives – Jay Bookman claims, among other things, that our bill would add substantially to the deficit. While providing no actual evidence to support his argument, Bookman decries the lack of an analysis of the legislation by the Congressional Budget Office.
Thankfully, for Mr. Bookman, we announced earlier this month that Douglas Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, has conducted a budgetary estimate of H.R. 2300 and found that it would actually reduce the deficit by $2.34 trillion, reduce health care premium increases and increase the number of insured Americans by 29 percent.
All of this information is readily available on our website: tomprice.house.gov. While we appreciate Mr. Bookman’s interest in our bill, we encourage him and others to read the bill and get the facts about our positive solution that puts patients, families, and doctors in charge of healthcare, not Washington.
U.S. REP. TOM PRICE M.D., R-ROSWELL
