Published: July 01, 2009 10:38 pm      

Letters to the editor - Thursday, July 2, 2009

Health care reform will sacrifice elderly

The All Barack Channel (ABC) aired a highly slanted and propagandized program in support of Obama’s health care reform. Here is something I don’t think they mentioned. And if you don’t believe me, look at the Kennedy Health Care Reform Bill.

Members of Congress are exempt from this national health care, one protected class. Even more objectionable is a second protected class, union members who will be exempt from any taxing of health care benefits that are sure to follow for the rest of us.

So this health care that is being rammed down our throats is another example of Congress telling us to do as they say but not as they do. What hypocrites.

Now my personal opinion: This weekend my mother-in-law broke her hip. She also had successful surgery and is on her way to recovery. This recovery is something that would not happen if and when Obama’s health care plan is passed.

Obama’s plan will ration health care and the reality is our elderly will be evaluated on where they are on the age timeline. Someone almost 90 as my mother-in-law undoubtedly will be deemed too old to justify the “limited” benefit she would gain. She would be sacrificed to the accountants who will approve medical procedures. This isn’t just my opinion. Her surgeon agreed.

Mike Moran, Kokomo

Smiley luncheon deserved write-up

An internationally recognized hometown hero returns to Kokomo for the Haynes Apperson weekend to speak and act as grand marshal of the parade. Tavis Smiley is given a key to the city of Kokomo by Mayor Greg Goodnight, and then Smiley warmly thanks the crowd and addresses those at the luncheon in his honor. The photographer’s camera flashes as he captures this moment for the Kokomo Tribune.

Up until the previous sentence, I was telling you of an event which occurred on Saturday. There was no photographer there to capture the moment or to record anything which Tavis Smiley said.

I marvel at the stories which appear on the front page of the Kokomo Tribune and marvel even more at the ones that don’t. I can’t comprehend how the local paper simply ignores a luncheon given in the honor of a man of Tavis Smiley’s stature, especially since he lived here and his family still does.

There is no excuse for this, none. Much of the silliness passing as news is not even worthy of common gossip. Shame on the Tribune for masquerading as a journalistic vehicle.

T.P. Crittendon, Kokomo