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Letters To The Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 9, 2007

Reconsider Opinion

Regarding 'Children's Health Insurance Bill Justified President's Veto' (Our Opinion, Oct. 4):

I feel you goofed so badly in your editorial supporting his veto of the increase in funds for children's health care that you should be held accountable. I can't believe you don't understand the problems children have getting other than emergency health care because their parents lack the funds to pay private doctors.

That a family would give up private health insurance to get federal support, as the president suggests, is ludicrous. They then face paying their own hospital bills, which run into the thousands of dollars. I think more knowledgeable minds have prevailed and the president is rethinking his position. Maybe you should also.

GEORGE BATCHELOR

Sun City Center

Embarrassing Decision

Once again, the poorest and least capable of self-defense are made the sacrifice of this insensitive president. The insurance companies and big tobacco companies are protected. We are once again the laughingstock of the world. This is another embarrassment for our once honorable country.

We, who continue a war in the name of compassion, put ourselves in judgment of governments who are heartless and deny our poor children medical care.

MARIA HOFFMAN

Largo

Single-Payer System

When President Bush vetoed SCHIP, he called it socialized medicine. This is the term used to scare people away from Dennis Kucinich's proposed single-payer, 'Medicare for all' health-care coverage. How about instead we call it 'not getting gouged by the health insurance industry' medicine?

Michael Moore's movie 'Sicko' shows that this is what is happening. The insurance industry makes huge profits by gouging patients and not giving them the care they need. With single-payer, we wouldn't have to worry about SCHIP.

RON KUHLER

Lutz

Override This Veto

I would like to see this veto overridden. I have four young children and medical insurance for my family is beyond what I can afford. Yet child illness and state-required shots, physicals, etc. are never going to stop.

Why was it much easier for my kids and other children to get insurance before this horrible Iraq debacle started? President Bush claims that things are under control, but I disagree.

Medical coverage is something all taxpaying citizens should have simply because everybody who works helps keep the country and economy going and growing. Children, the future American leaders, should receive health insurance to help lessen the burden on so many families like mine.

JASON NEWELL

Dunedin

Don't Forget Autism

Regarding 'USF Secures Millions For Diabetes Study' (front page, Oct. 4):

It is great news that the University of South Florida has landed such an important research grant that will deal with the insidious disease known as juvenile diabetes. According to the article, this disease affects one in every 400 to 600 children and adolescents. We know that it can result in the failure of several body organs and can wreak havoc on its victims throughout their lives.

Nevertheless, it is now believed that autism is even more pervasive and affects one out of every 150 children in the United States, 80 percent boys, who will in all likelihood never marry, father children or hold a rewarding job during their lifetime if a cure is not found.

It is natural to focus on people we know in our immediate lives who are ill with a particular devastating disease and there is never enough money to address all of their issues. All I am asking is that our children with autism are not forgotten. You can make a contribution to the Easter Seals or United Way to help all disabled children in their quest for answers. You may also contribute to the Autism Society of America at www.autism-society.org.

MARY SHOFI VOLPE

Tampa

Think About Switching

Regarding 'Nelson, Hastings Sue DNC To Stop Sanctions' (Metro, Oct. 5):

Is this a great country - and state - or what? Just when you thought you heard everything, Bill Nelson and Alcee Hastings pulled the ace out of the hole and sued the Democratic National Committee with a discrimination lawsuit.

A lawsuit against the DNC for refusing Florida delegates to be seated at the Democratic National Convention discriminates against black voters certainly is innovative. Are there any other ethnic groups who vote the Democratic ticket? Then again, this comes from the party that made an uproar about the 'butterfly ballot.'

I have friends and colleagues who are registered Democrats, and I ask them, 'Ever thought about joining the Republican Party? We may not be smart, but at least we're not dumb.'

LEW PRICHARD

Tampa

GOP Should Follow Suit

I would like to thank the Democratic National Committee for its decision to not allow its candidates to campaign in Florida. As a conservative Republican, I wish the GOP would follow suit. I am enjoying not being inundated by campaign ads, in which each candidate informs us of how horrendous both the current administration and the candidates' opposition are. We really don't need any more of this in our lives, and thus, the DNC is actually providing a public service with its ban. At least the next few months will be more palatable without their ads.

DEBORAH BUTLER

Valrico

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