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Don't ignore health reform realities
Here are health care reform realities that are seldom discussed and conveniently ignored by most members of Congress:
* Opposed to universal health care? We already have it. There is a law that states that anyone showing up at the emergency room cannot be turned away, even if he has no health insurance. This means that we are already paying for universal health care, as costs are passed on to those who have health insurance or those who pay for health care out of their own pockets.
* Think a "public option" is a bad idea and won't work? It works just fine in Europe, where almost every country has a governmental universal health care program. These countries spend less than half as much per person as we currently spend, and their citizens are healthier. And recent surveys have shown that their average wait to see a doctor actually is less than what is experienced in the United States.
* Is health care a privilege or a right? Many years ago, health care may have been considered a privilege, but it is now considered a right, similar to police and fire protection.
There are no valid arguments refuting these facts. However, it is my belief that with many congressmen in the back pockets of the hospital and pharmaceutical industry — and with false statements such as that the current health coverage for many citizens would be reduced with a public option — it is not likely that health care reform with a public option will be passed by Congress.
SAM KNECHT
Wichita
Christians care
I am amazed at how many letters to the editor show a hatred toward Christians. Yet the outpouring of Christian love is all around us.
The Lord's Diner and the Union Rescue Mission do outstanding work in meeting the needs of homeless and others. However, churches all around us also are meeting needs that you may never see. They take food to families in need. They do maintenance or repair work free of charge. They assist with financial needs — and these funds come from the church body, not any government bailout. They provide rides, car repair, shopping assistance and more. Best of all, they do this year-round, not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Many travel, at their own expense, to disaster sites such as after Hurricane Katrina — feeding, rebuilding and counseling those in distress.
I will agree there are many false-teaching churches out there, but there are so many more that teach the truths of the Bible and show that truth in the love they share with all.
Rather than hating Christians, try accepting their love. Find a church that teaches and preaches from the Holy Bible, and you will find peace.
RON PAGE
Derby
Halloween thievery
Where were your over-17-year-old teenagers on Saturday night? There were five of them who came to our door trick-or-treating. Of course, no costumes — just big bags collecting free candy and looking to steal.
One of the teens came back to our door more than once for candy. The final time, our porch light was off. My husband opened the front door to find him stooped over, trying to unplug and steal our strobe light and fog machine. My husband bolted out the front door before the teen could take our merchandise and caught him by the collar, but he got loose and ran like the wind. He is lucky. The other four big kids came back to our house to apologize for their friend's behavior.
Sorry, little youngsters in our west-side neighborhood, but next year we won't be putting up any decorations for Halloween. This wasn't the first year for trick-or-treat thievery, but thanks to these up-to-no-good teenagers, it will be our last.
MARY GIBSON
Wichita
Honor soldiers
We need to distinguish between a person who has fallen doing his job and a person who has fallen doing his duty.
People serving their communities are doing a job that they chose, and they have the option to quit that job at any time. People in the military also chose to serve their country; they don't have the option to quit that job at any time.
Firefighters and police officers lose their lives like hundreds of other people do every year doing their jobs. Military personnel lose their lives because they choose to do their duty. I am sure that there are plenty of people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan who would not be doing the job they are doing if they had a choice, but they do it because it is their duty.
So if you choose to honor someone who has fallen doing his job, then you need to bestow an even higher honor on someone who has fallen in the line of duty. These are people who face ambushes and the hazards of war every day.
FREDRICK R. JOHNSON
Wichita
Restore clock tower
The Historic County Courthouse building at Central and Main used to have a clock tower. It was removed many years ago because of a crack in the structure.
I remember how, in the 1930s, a friend and I enjoyed going into the courthouse just to watch the giant pendulum swing back and forth in the stairwell. The large bell now hanging in front of the present courthouse across the street used to sound the time on the hour and half hour. When it struck 9 p.m., children under 16 were to return home promptly or risk being picked up by police.
This building still looks odd to me without the tower. I pray that the city or county would restore the clock tower to this beautiful building, which is one of the city's best historical landmarks.
JOHN A. BROWN
Wichita
