Print edition: 
Time to pass real health care reform
Like thousands of other nurses across the country, I know that the health care system is broken. As it is, the system works best for the insurance companies rather than for the American people. There are millions who lack adequate coverage or any coverage at all, and that cost is passed along to the consumer and the health care institutions.
We need reform now, and the do-nothing approach of Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Reps. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, and Jerry Moran, R-Hays, is not the solution. Have you noticed that they offer no alternative, just the status quo?
For the tens of millions of Americans without insurance, the plans now being offered will open the door to quality, affordable choices. And according to the new cost estimate by the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate bill costs less than the $900 billion often thrown out as an obstacle.
We cannot afford to do nothing. It's time to finish the job and pass real reform.
DONOVAN G. UNRUH
Newton
Public confused
President Obama repeatedly has stated the objectives, goals and fiscal attributes of good health care reform. But instead of offering the administration's version of such legislation, he deferred that to Congress.
Congress has two houses, however, and more than one committee from those houses undertook to create legislation that may have features reflecting objectives different from the president's. The result has been several varied, long and complicated proposals.
Is it any wonder that the public is confused and doesn't understand the intent, consequences and status of what is being proposed? It is human to fear what you don't understand. Emotions run high on an issue that is so important to our national economy and well-being, and gravely personal as well. The discourse of the public and our leaders has been angry and inflammatory and has only added to the confusion. That's the basis of the trouble with today's health care legislation.
HARRY R. CLEMENTS
Wichita
Dragging feet
America, are you paying attention to all the broken promises, none of which is more heartbreaking than the broken promise to bring our troops home? President Obama sent more troops to Afghanistan but doesn't give them the support that they need to be successful. He dragged his feet about meeting with Gen. Stanley McChrystal and has held off making a commitment on McChrystal's recommendations, under the guise of wanting to weigh all his options.
I hope that anyone who voted for Obama does not have a son, daughter, husband, wife, aunt, uncle or good friend over there. It would be very hard to live with seeing a loved one not come home because Obama was slow to follow the advice of McChrystal and Gen. David Petraeus.
MAUREEN FIKE
Hesston
Evolution fairy tale
John Richard Schrock tried to make a case for teaching bad science — evolution — and false religion — humanism — as fact ("Kansas teachers aren't anti-evolution," Oct. 6 Opinion). He suggested that creationist ideas contradict science, when in fact evolution theory contradicts more science.
The theory of evolution makes for a good fairy tale but little else. The theory changes constantly to try to overcome the latest find. A new fossil find reported last week raises questions about whether man evolved from apes or apes from man or some new creature yet to be found. There are fewer "transitional fossils" now than there were when Darwin was making up his theory.
To believe the evolution theory, you must believe that more information is placed in cells as animals "evolve." This doesn't show to be true in reality. Over time, information is lost. If you don't believe this, try to breed Chihuahuas and get a wolf. Better yet, try to breed Chihuahuas and get a cat. Evolution says that it should be possible.
I suggest that science be used only in an open-minded way. Don't rule out ideas only because you don't like them. Don't ignore science when it refutes the pet theory. Let science lead to the truth, and you will come back to the Bible.
FRED BECKER
Leon
Teen helpers
I am 79 years old, live alone and am on oxygen. A few days ago, my two pug dogs got out of the yard. Because of my oxygen on wheels, I could not catch them. Two teenage girls walking in the street noticed my predicament and quickly got one of the dogs. The other dog kept running. But the girls said not to worry, that they would find her. They did, and brought the dog back to my house. I tried to give them a reward, but they refused to take it.
A couple of days later, two other teens helped me move my trash can from the backyard to the front for trash pickup. They also refused pay.
What a wonderful job their parents and teachers have done raising such wonderful children. They are real assets to our neighborhood and our fine city.
RICHARD TURNER
Wichita
Good Samaritan
Last week our son was involved in a car accident on his way to school. If anybody knows the person who handed him a yellow Eddie Bauer sweater at the scene, please ask him or her to contact us. This little gesture meant so much to our son that he still talks about it.
AUSTIN and MANUELA ENGLISH
Wichita
