HEALTH CARE
Nation needs to renew focus on curbing obesity
Alarming new statistics show far too many Americans are obese. Recently released data show that more than 30 percent of Georgians are obese.
Physicians are concerned about the high rate of obesity because it adversely affects the health and quality of life for millions. This growing epidemic also compromises the fiscal health of our nation and increases the cost of health care for all of us. More than 75 percent of our nation’s health care spending is for the treatment of chronic (often preventable) conditions. Obesity and its health complications alone cost billions annually. Lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in reducing these costs to our nation and improving individual health.
As policymakers debate increasing the value of our health care spending, a renewed national focus on prevention and wellness measures must play a role.
Dr. Peter W. Carmel, president, American Medical Association
DEFICIT
U.S. headed for disaster if GOP doesn’t negotiate
Anyone running a household will tell you that you can’t stay out of bankruptcy without adequate income and responsible control of spending. The Republican stance on the budget issue has been consistent: Eliminate expenditures with which we don’t agree, and keep your mitts off the income of contributors to our re-election coffers.
Until Republicans are willing to really negotiate , we are headed for disaster that scares me to death. Neither side is perfect in this case, but the Republicans have been playing a game of chicken, hoping Democrats and the president will blink first. Please contact your legislators and encourage them to quit being pigheaded, and do what is best for the country.
Susan Joseph, Sandy Springs
Cuts to Social Security more than political game
I follow the news from Washington closely, and it’s becoming harder and harder to see the wrangling over the debt ceiling (and proposed cuts to Social Security) as anything other than a game politicians are playing.
I have news for Washington: Social Security is not a game. It’s a real lifesaver for me and millions of other Americans.
I have contributed to Social Security all my working life. It doesn’t contribute to the deficit and should not be part of any deficit deal. It’s about time for politicians to stop playing games with our retirement security.
Jeanie Davis, Atlanta
Voters must take blame for nation’s direction
The debt ceiling debacle threatens to carry our nation down a road it has never traveled before and do untold harm to our economy and our residents. More is at stake than most Americans understand.
Who is to blame? Some say Democrats’ spending; some say Republican intransigence, and others, Tea Party ideology. The truth is, blame does not reside in Washington. It is we the voters who are to blame. If we continue to vote people into office who represent radical ideology (left or right); who are incapable of compromise; who put party and politics over the general good of the country, we will continue to have dysfunctional government, and we will be the losers.
William Jordan, Lawrenceville
