Rights are not about taking from others
A letter writer is correct that “health is not a business” (“Affordable care should be right for all residents,” Readers write, Opinion, April 16). The same can be said for food, housing, cars and computer programs. However, supplying any of these things is a service provided by human beings, who expect to be compensated. In other words, those people conduct business.
I agree with the writer that we could use real changes to our health care system. But she wishes to establish health provision as a right. A right is not something someone else must provide you, but something someone cannot take away — such as life or freedom of speech. Until doctors, nurses, and medical researchers donate their time, health care will be a business.
Mike Anthony, Duluth
Legislators have nerve to single out the poor
It is refreshingly ironic that our Legislature seems to be proud of its refusal to do anything about ethics — but gleefully requires those seeking welfare to take drug tests (“Welfare drug tests OK’d,” Metro, April 17). Folks, that is the height of arrogance. This bunch is about to make me lose my religion.
Phil Davis, Powder Springs
Rhetoric won’t get us out of the mess
Much of this year’s partisan political rhetoric is sheer nonsense. Let’s look at the facts. Our economy sank into a deep recession despite a decade of artificially low income taxes. Lax financial regulations caused a housing crisis which exacerbated the situation. The combined costs of unfunded, pre-emptive wars and economic stimulus programs have left us with unprecedented national debt. Our elected “representatives” have delayed economic recovery by refusing to cooperate.
Recovery from this mess will require implementing a balanced program of tax increases, spending cuts and sensible regulations. It will be a challenge to accomplish this without sacrificing education and programs essential for continued economic growth. To meet this challenge, we must ignore foolish rhetoric, and elect candidates with the courage and integrity to put nation before party — and work across party lines.
Arnold C. McQuaide Jr., Berkeley Lake
Obama, Buffett could pay more now
If I believe that no one should drive over the speed limit, do I wait until everyone is not exceeding the speed limit before I conform to my beliefs? If I believe that lying is wrong, do I always tell the truth or do I wait for everyone else around me to be ethical before doing the right thing? If Warren Buffet, Barack Obama and others believe they should be paying a certain amount on their taxes from income, they should already be paying it. Talk without action is worthless.
Bill Webster, Peachtree City
