Published: August 13, 2009 02:29 pm      

Letters to the editor - Friday, Aug. 14, 2009

Let’s ensure healthy generations

There are so many arguments about health care reform that the opportunities are in danger of being lost. But our country has a great opportunity to fix at least two serious problems.

The first is we need to make sure that every woman can get maternity coverage. For example, if pregnancy is defined as pre-existing, then a woman might not be able to afford needed maternity care.

A second reason to improve the current system is to make sure that children who are born with a birth defect or serious condition, including disabilities caused by being born pre-term, can get the quality, affordable and comprehensive medical care they need to survive and thrive.

This is not about special interests; it’s about our families. As a March of Dimes volunteer, the health of women, newborns and children matter to me. I hope that our leaders in Washington remember this and don’t lose sight of what this generation should be doing to ensure healthy future generations.

Kathy Clark, Peru

Pension earners will not be next

I am a Delphi retired person after 35 years. I keep in touch with the greatest man on this earth. I will not sit around and let Delphi put fear in me.

Shirley Wallace, Kokomo

Do not disrupt library services

The following is an open letter to Charles Joray of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library:

Dear Mr. Joray,

Much has been said over the past few years regarding the upcoming main branch renovation project. In one of my letters, I stated, “If your plan does not permit uninterrupted main branch services on-site during the renovation process, then you need to come up with a different plan.”

Kenneth Crockett, Kokomo

Can we afford more spending?

During the Great Depression, we did not have Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment compensation and food stamps. We did have the PWA, $14 per week; the CCC, $5 per month for the enrollee, $25 per month for his parents and numerous other small benefits.

If you got desperate, you tabled your pride and went to the trustee. He gave you a small box of food.

President Roosevelt did close the banks for 30 days and created FDIC, which guaranteed your deposits. This helped, but the Depression did not really end until World War II.

Now we have Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment compensation and numerous pension plans and Social Security. We have bailed out Chrysler, GM and numerous failing banks.

We have an approximately $11 trillion debt, which is increasing every day. What kind of future are we creating for our great-grandchildren and can we really afford it?

Harold Droll, Kokomo