The status quo

By: Letters To the editor | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: November 24, 2009

It's hard not to be confused. With all the conflicting claims about health-care reform, it's hard to know what to believe. Here is what I know.

For years, the premiums and copayments for my insurance have continued to rise while my coverage has continued to shrink. According to news reports, this is not a company-specific phenomenon, but a national trend to the point that more and more companies no longer offer insurance to their employees.

I also know that under private insurers, my choices have lessened. I am now given lists of in-network doctors and facilities that I must use unless I want to pay significantly higher fees.

I know that after I have any kind of medical crisis that involves specialists and being hospitalized, going to the mailbox is an adventure. Just when I think I have settled all accounts, new bills will appear for procedures I thought were covered or for procedures I didn't know I had.

I know that health-care reform is something that we have to address now. Presidents since Richard Nixon have tried to address the issue to no avail. Since health-care costs now make up about one-sixth of our economy and they are currently skyrocketing out of control, we cannot afford to kick the can down the road any longer.

Finally, I know that President Obama is a thoughtful, well-intentioned man who simply wants every American to have access to affordable health care.

DENNIS G. DOSS

Winston-Salem

Terrorists get civilian trials?

Let me see if I get this straight: We have declared war on terrorists. Terrorists who get captured but not killed are now given civilian trials by jury with all the benefits of U.S. citizens? If that were the case during World War II, we'd still be trying Nazis in U.S. courts.

This idiotic decision by the current administration is yet another example that it hasn't the foggiest idea what it's doing (or worse yet, maybe it does). Next thing we know, they'll be giving terrorists free health care. Whoa. I forgot -- they're getting free room, meals and health care, all at our expense.

STANLEY G. SIMM

Winston-Salem

Degrading comments

I viewed with disgust the degrading comments on former Gov. Sarah Palin as written by columnist Eugene Robinson ("Rogue Force: There's no stopping fans," Nov. 18). I know you have columns to provoke responses such as mine. Or maybe you even have some readers who actually agree with these disgusting comments?

Palin did great work in Alaska and has at least run a state government. This is far more than a lot of our elected officials have done. And in particular, she did a far better job while in office than our current president. He only has had a job as a neighborhood organizer and limited time as a U.S. senator, where he did no more than vote "present" and be the highest rated liberal in the U.S. Senate.

We are getting a good taste of his skills right now as he, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi take our country down the toilet with their excessive spending habits. I can only hope the liberal press and its minions -- people like liberal jerk David Letterman -- will start on the obvious trek of running President Obama through their degrading world of comedy. Then maybe the rest of the voting public will actually see what Obama, Reid and Pelosi are really up to. Right now, I find them about as interesting as your columns.

JOHN NELMS

Winston-Salem

Not a Democrat

Every time Rep. Virginia Foxx stands up to speak, I am so grateful that she is not a Democrat. I just wish that she didn't "represent" the district where I live.

CYNTHIA GOUGH NANCE

Clemmons