The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Our Readers Speak

March 3, 2010

Our Readers Speak — Thursday, March 4, 2010

BECKLEY — Obama’s health care bill disappointing



On Feb. 22, President Obama released his “new” plan for health care and health insurance reform. It was disappointing at best, and insulting at worst.

Obama’s plan is almost identical to the bill passed by the Senate on Christmas Eve. Keep in mind that the Senate bill was so out of line with most Americans’ values that it led to conservative Republican Scott Brown winning Ted Kennedy’s Massachusetts Senate seat, despite Massachusetts being the most liberal state in the union.

President Obama, what don’t you understand? A bill that forces citizens to buy a service, for whatever reason, is not in line with American values, popular opinion, common sense, and more importantly it is not in line with the federal government’s power provided in the Constitution. Reconciliation is a legislative trick that is being considered that bypasses the 60-vote majority requirement to defeat a filibuster allowing minor legislation to pass with a simple majority, or 51 votes. It has been used in the past, but it has always been used for budgetary, spending, and taxing policies.

In contrast, this bill is a major overhaul of our private health care system that will eventually result in the liberals' much anticipated, highly socialistic single-payer system.  This will result in rationing, less choice for patients, and may in fact be the last straw for an American economy that is already overburdened by an enormously top heavy federal government. The average income for government employees has increased to $75,000 a year while private employees still only average $42,000 a year.

In addition to salary disparity there is also a major spike in government employees since Obama took office.

At what point will the private sector collapse under the crushing weight of an ever expanding federal government? The answer is soon, and much sooner if this bill passes.



Todd Kirby

Fairdale



Board salaries can be used for improvements



The Fayette County Board of Education was just taken over by the state. This is from the top to the bottom of the board.

They have no say so; yet they are still getting paid from your tax dollars.

 Chris Perkins, the “$93,000 man,” let the schools fall behind in maintenance; some schools without books; one school without teachers.

We in Fayette County do need better education, not bigger schools.

Three of the board members were for the bond that lost bad for the one big school. Big schools don’t teach, teachers teach.

Why pay these board members their salaries when all they can do is sit there now like a knot on a log?

We can use these monies for books, maintenance, and raises for all school employees.

I hope all taxpayers of Fayette County will speak out for No. 1 education.



Andy Carte

Fayetteville

Text Only
Our Readers Speak