Coal miners cheated by companies, BrickStreet



On Aug. 5 in The Register-Herald once again there was a huge article on the famed BrickStreet Insurance.

Nowhere in this article was the coal miner mentioned. Nowhere in this article was how the BrickStreet judges have cheated many a sick coal miner out of their benefits (occupational pneumoconiosis).

As some letters to the editor have already stated, the “Miracle Highway,” Interstate 77.

Look at the money the coal companies, compensation and insurance groups have made off the coal miner.

In my eyes the coal miner in West Virginia has been raped.

They work for the coal companies, get hurt — the coal companies will tell them to come in and sit and they will pay them so they won’t have to pay a higher premium to comp. The insurance groups will let a coal miner retire at age 50 but won’t let them have their insurance until age 55. They are allowed to work, but for only $6 an hour or they lose their insurance.

In this article it also states that the old fund pays the disabled miner until they get better or die. Are they begrudging them that also?

The BrickStreet Insurance group has spent more on wining and dining, as did Trumka when he was our union president, than any coal miner will ever see.

It’s a true shame that a coal miner can risk his life for a coal company and then when they retire and file for their just dues they are fought every step of the way and for years — in what should have only taken several weeks. So new red hat coal miners, don’t expect anything from the coal companies or BrickStreet; that way you won’t be disappointed as I and a lot of older coal miners have been.



Donnie Bunch

Fairdale



Party’s actions opposite of what it proclaims



In November 2008 we will again choose a president and much of the Congress. I’ve heard many people say there is little difference between the two major parties. Most people who vote Republican, though, seem to cite two main reasons for doing so: The Republicans are more fiscally responsible, and they want to do God’s will for America. That sounds reasonable enough.

There’s only one problem. Once elected, their actions are just the opposite, belying their only true agenda, which is protecting the interest of the rich and powerful. The two most fiscally irresponsible presidents in our history, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, insisted on lowering taxes for the wealthy while running up record deficits and cutting programs that helped the most vulnerable. Bush spends $10 billion a month on a war based on lies, while fewer children and elderly have health care, our bridges deteriorate, and our returning veterans cannot get adequate mental health treatment. He inherited a budget surplus, and has turned it into unprecedented debt that will outlive us all.

The war in Afghanistan was justified by 9/11, but Bush looked us in the eye and lied about the need to go to war in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands have died, and we are bankrupt. Abortion is still legal while there has been an unparalleled widening of the gap between rich and poor. That’s fiscally responsible? That’s God’s will?

The Republicans will chant the same “God-fearing, fiscally responsible” mantra in the next election. Don’t be duped. They will again wave the flag of “family values” when, in reality, they will do nothing in support of those issues for fear of losing their real ticket to power — division and prejudice. My religious values include feeding the poor and not killing people who aren’t an imminent threat to you. My family values include respect for all life, and the basic human dignity of even those who are much different from ourselves.

If you vote to continue the legacy of George W. Bush, at least be honest about the reason. If it’s family values and sound financial policy you’re interested in, look elsewhere.



Ashley Kuhn Calloway

Beckley