Snake oil
It is amazing to me that President Barack Obama can stand in front of the American people and with a straight face claim that the current health care plan will save the government billions.
He must know down deep that this claim is based on smoke and mirror economics.
To begin with, the bill collects 10 years worth of taxes to pay for six years of insurance.
Next, it borrows nearly half a trillion dollars from Medicare, a program that is already producing plenty of red ink.
Thirdly, it conveniently leaves out the "doctor fix," treating another 300 billion as a separate entity.
Most Americans realize that there hasn't been a new entitlement program yet that hasn't cost the government infinitely more than the CBO estimate.
All of our entitlement programs are badly in debt, and that debt is compounding.
Most Americans appear to be far smarter than the Democrats give them credit for.
A majority realize that the adoption of this bill will eventually lead us to financial collapse and rioting in the streets by government sucklings and union members, as is currently occurring in Greece, when the unsustainability of our gluttonous spending finally catches up with us.
Gary Roush
Traverse City
Missing the point
Truth is found in simplicity. The health care bill is 2,700 pages, suggesting other agendas in play. Content is irrelevant.
Citizens correctly recognize this is about the growth of government, the entrenchment of new and ever more costly bureaucracies and the ultimate prize for an uncomfortably left-leaning agenda.
It will confer the unfettered ability to tax and be financed significantly by cuts in Medicare and provider reimbursements.
Regardless of attitudes toward health care change, what we are witnessing is not the way to accomplish reform that should be enthusiastically embraced by the American people.
Demonizing whole industries with untrue populist rhetoric should be offensive to real statesmen. The Senate bill in its totality is unacceptable to the majority of citizens.
Utilizing legislative gimmicks to proceed with such unpopular legislation is wrong. Any bill encompassing social and economic change of such magnitude should be supported by a substantial majority of citizens and passed enthusiastically by using only traditional legislative process.
The consequences of pushing this present bill through surely are going to be negative. Just ask the 10,000 more physicians a year who are retiring in excess of the new graduates.
Allan Dobzyniak
Eastport
Bring country back
In reference to the article on Bart Stupak in the March 12 Record-Eagle, I have to reply to Connie Saltonstall. If she believes abortion is health care reform, her priorities are upside down.
Obviously, killing a baby is not "health care." Thank God for Bart Stupak who has some common sense.
Also in the same paper in "Letters to the Editor," Mr. Hurlin is distressed by the Republicans' negative attitudes. When the Obama administration continually works to destroy our nation, who wouldn't have a negative attitude?
Whatever Obama wants, his leaders push with no input from the other side. I personally agree we need to elect people who will bring this country back to the nation we deserve regardless of party.
Carl Ron Williams
Cedar
A two-way street
I was confused by the opinion of the Record-Eagle editorial on March 17.
On one hand Sgt. Bradford was found guilty of drunken driving. You then made the comparison to Officer Soffredine, who drove off the road and had expired plates. His plates should have been run and he should now get a $100 fine.
Was the road icy? Was the officer drunk? I don't know. I wasn't there, but neither were you. And the headline of your piece was "Public Accountability?" That too is a two-way street.
Norm Jones
Traverse City
Editor's note: The Record-Eagle editorial stated Bradford was arrested for drunken driving and publicly apologized, not that she was found guilty. The paper reported in February that the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department's investigation determined the "road was clear." We also reported that Undersheriff Nathan Alger, who is leading the investigation into Officer Soffredine's crash, said he has spoken with every firefighter who responded to the scene and they confirmed the road "was generally not slippery."
Biker is disappointed
I have followed the articles and progress of the Eighth Street renovation.
I travel by bike for health and easy access to downtown. This street has always been hazardous to us cyclers. It sometimes takes five to six minutes to cross at non-signal intersections. We do not dare use the road for travel.
I have used the sidewalks for four years. I fear even the sounds of this speedway. I am very disappointed in our city planners. Same old, same old.
Scott Daning
Traverse City
Don't ruin bird feeding
I read with dismay the article on the DNR again taking Ken Borton to court for deer under his bird feeders.
Michigan has very serious problems. We must have better ways to use tax dollars than investigating bird feeders (40 to 80 man hours plus court costs).
Bird feeding is a wonderful pastime many enjoy. Most of us have had deer check under our feeders for fallen seed. Should we dread a DNR visit? How many will give up their hobby in fear?
Mr. Borton agreed to state-approved feeders and inspections by officials. His feeders are six feet off the ground. How many of us, especially the elderly and disabled, could maintain feeders high enough to prevent deer and elk from reaching them?
I also read the DNR was using helicopters and night vision devices to catch violators baiting.
All this over one deer imported from one hunting ranch to another? No deer inspected in Michigan had wasting disease! Can we justify the time and money spent on this?
Let's not ruin bird feeding for everyone and let's spend Michigan taxes wisely.
Cynthia Lyle
Harbor Springs
