GOP must keep promise to repeal ACA
The Republicans ran on repealing Obamacare. It’s time they stick to it.
The Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, is no longer affordable. Premiums for Obamacare plans in Georgia will go up to 19.1 percent and some states are seeing as much as a 116 percent increase.
Since 2010, Republicans have promised the voters to fully repeal Obamacare. Now that we have given them control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, they have no more excuses.
Constituents should urge their representatives to fully repeal Obamacare using the so-called “two-budget strategy” and “reconciliation.” Congress should begin this process now by passing the fiscal year 2017 budget that failed to pass last year. This would allow them to use a filibuster-proof process known as budget reconciliation to pass a simple, one-sentence repeal of Obamacare with 51 Senate votes and have it ready for President-elect Trump to sign when he takes office in a few weeks.
Once Obamacare is repealed, Congress should pass a second budget for fiscal year 2018 that lowers spending levels. Then they can debate and pass a series of conservative, free-market health-care reforms that enact consumer choice, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and lower cost.
This two-budget strategy will ensure that momentum for full Obamacare repeal does not stall. It also provides ample time for individuals who have insurance through the Obamacare exchanges to transition back to the individual market without losing coverage.
TERRI GREEN, WOODSTOCK
Look to Nixon to predict Trump future
If you want to know what a Trump presidency will be like, do some thorough research on Nixon and his presidency — the people he surrounded himself with, his failed foreign policies, his disastrous handling of the Vietnam War, his being paranoid of the media, his constant lying to the American people, his use of the FBI to investigate anyone who dared disagree with him or voice their opposition to his policies, and ultimately the Watergate cover-up.
It can be summed up by what he said after he resigned, when confronted about his lawbreaking while being president he answered, “When the president does it, it is not illegal” — sound like someone we know? I’m sorry, that is not the Constitution (rule of law) that our American democracy is! If it comes to pass, as I suspect it will, we can minimize the damage by changing the control of Congress in November 2018 and then change the president (Democrat or Republican) in 2020.
If you think it’s a little far-fetched, just look at how he is handling getting ready to be president. Then imagine what he will be like once he actually becomes president on Jan. 20: Nixon II.
PAT FAGAN, WOODSTOCK
‘Slider’ proposal won’t work
As a retired Fulton County police officer, I have been following the “slider” reports with interest and chagrin. The proposal of the county to take the alcohol licenses of merchants on whose property a slider crime occurs would be appropriate if there was a causal link of alcohol to such crimes, but there is not. By implementing such a rule, the Commission is placing accountability on the merchants for the failure of families and the juvenile court system, and punishing them arbitrarily.
The community would be better served by supervising the two dozen known offenders more closely (ankle monitors). Defray this cost through fines of motorists who carelessly leave their valuables and running vehicles unsecured. However, fines notwithstanding, the expense of increased supervision would be less than the litigation such a rule change would create.
GREGORY R. VAN LIEW, DECATUR
Obama helped Trump win election
It’s the most wonderful time in eight years. Obama is going, and Trump is glowing, so be of good cheer! We were horrified a totally incompetent and inexperienced clown was elected eight years ago and then devastated when re-elected and can now breathe a sigh of relief. We watched him do everything he can to destroy America and foreign policy. A list of lies, scandals and destruction could go on for pages. Thanks to all who crossed their party line to vote for Mr. Trump. A writer from Lithonia called Trump a monster. It was your monster in the White House and the realization your monster nominee would continue to ruin America that helped Mr. Trump to be elected. Thank you and happy days are here again.
STEPHANIE SMITH, STOCKBRIDGE
About the Author
