Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Letters 11/4

Invitation for fraud

So who will really benefit most from universal health care?

I read a Reuters article claiming that fraud and scams take up 22 percent of the Medicare budget, or up to $200 billion per year.

Since Medicare is less than 20 percent of the entire health care industry, I have to assume that if the government ran the entire heath care system this number would climb to more than $1 trillion per year, just in fraud and theft. Simple math, right?

Private insurance companies have imperceptible amounts of fraud, but make a whopping 2.5 percent profit.

From what I can see, we're going to stop those evil health care executives and stockholders from making any profit, but the criminals are going to make out like the bandits. Pun intended.

Mark Kern

Swansea

Response to a radical

This is a reply to the Oct. 22 letter by Michael Ray Dillier on Rep. John Shimkus. Dillier says, "Shimkus is a right-wing religious nut." It is useless to converse with a radical like Dillier.

Dillier is a retired member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I and my brother are also retired members of the IBEW. Dillier does not speak for me. He is an extreme radical who believes all the propaganda produced by the radical liars in the Democratic Party.

The Republican Party has its share of liars, also.

Collective bargaining is a good process that has given workers a safe place to work, offering them a "fair days pay for a fair days work." Companies are not the workers' enemy as Dillier believes. His very retirement income comes from fees charged to the jobs he performed in the course of his employment for a contractor.

Religious nut? A prayer is said at the beginning and at the end of every union meeting I have attended. As a union officer, Dillier has probably recited his official union prayer many times. Maybe he is a hypocrite. Evidently Dillier does not respect the way God has protected his body over the years so he can enjoy his retirement.

God is somewhat like electricity. Handling God and his word carelessly may cause God to "zap" a radical person.

God has zapped me many times. God knows my name and I love him for it.

I believe Shimkus is an honest person; however, I do not agree with all his views.

Cal Fink

Troy

Apology in order

Letter writer Michael Ray Dillier's latest screed attacking Rep. John Shimkus was way beyond the pale even for a liberal. It is one thing to disagree with the congressman's political opinions, but to attack his religious beliefs is beyond the pale. Not only did Dillier attack his beliefs but he distorted the heck out of them.

I do not recall Dillier saying much about President Barack Hussein Obama sitting in a church for 20 years listening to America being damned from the pulpit on a regular basis. Of course, Obama espouses the communist views of Dillier and his ilk, so that is quite all right with him.

I think Dillier owes Shimkus and others of his faith an apology at the very least.

Larry McClintick

Collinsville

Broken promises

This is in reply to Michael Ray Dillier's letter scorning me for my suggestion that those who want the health care reform bill Democrats have put forward should sign on and pay for it. Apparently Dillier doesn't read the newspaper enough to be sure he's not opening his mouth just to insert his foot.

As I and many others have stated, health care reform is needed. But allow tort reform, allow insurance companies to sell across state lines. Don't lie and say illegal aliens won't benefit, just to name a few flaws. Don't try to ram an unpopular Democratic reform bill down everyone's throat.

Why not post this flim-flam fable online? If Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid's legislation is so desirous, why aren't all elected officials and government employees scurrying to sign up?

Overregulation of the insurance industry will only lead to more collapses and increases in the unemployment rolls, which President Barack Obama continues to blame on George Bush.

I just wonder how long he'll use that same old line? Will his re-election slogan be, "George Bush made me lie?"

His poll numbers are tumbling because of broken campaign promises -- on transparency, changing the way Washington does business, no lobbyists in his administration, and honesty. What's that old line, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."

Dennis Rodenhofer

Swansea

Quality care

I would like to comment on the letter Sept. 22 by Paul Walquist and supplement his contention concerning the quality of care at Memorial Hospital.

I was recently a patient at Memorial. The care was superb. The administrative staff was very cordial, helpful and efficient. Everything went on time and on schedule. The nursing staff was responsive, caring and thorough. The medical technicians were courteous, helpful and efficient. Memorial generated a positive outlook and a true feeling of confidence.

Shortly after my discharge, I received a call about my opinions as a patient. That convinced me that Memorial cares.

Should I ever again require another hospital stay, I would gladly do it again at Memorial.

Frank B. Austin

O'Fallon

Hope renewed

The Belleville Angel of Hope Committee would like to thank our many friends and neighbors for their participation and donations, which made our fundraiser a huge success.

The support we received from the city and many businesses in Belleville was invaluable.

We also would like to express our sincere gratitude to our committee members, who worked non-stop throughout the day.

Milt Smith

Belleville

From dream to reality

It was nice of the Obamas not to make a big deal of their 17th anniversary so it wouldn't cost the public too much. After all, they just returned from Sweden, costing us a fortune using two airplanes, taking Oprah and others on a vacation.

It was a vacation because the trip was so unnecessary. We don't need to spend the money to spruce up one of the most dangerous cities in America for the Olympics and then spend money for its upkeep. Isn't the economy bad enough as it is?

For sure the Obamas know how to spend money, take trips and vacations. At the rate they are going, Air Force One will be worn out shortly.

It's too bad there isn't some important or pressing things going on in Washington that could take Obama's mind off travel, vacations, being on TV shows, being in front of media cameras and Michelle Obama trying to change dress fashions.

I guess the reason they are taking Oprah on their trips is because she had an open pocketbook for the campaign of her brilliant senator. You know, it's payback time and the public gets stuck with the bill.

When the campaign was in full swing, Michelle Obama told blacks that they had better get out and vote or this would just be a dream. They did, along with a lot of young, first-time voters who didn't take voting seriously, and now we have a nightmare.

Terry Hunt

Trenton