Statements raise real concerns

Dear Barbara Evans,

 

We all would probably agree that the "average citizen" has not read the full 1,000-plus pages of the proposed health plan. Your assertion that many are motivated by certain TV news programs and speakers disregards the point that information from the government can be propagandized just as easily as that from opponents to the Obama bill.

I have had civil discussions with many, from Texas to Wisconsin, Georgia to Kentucky. I have discussed it with grandmothers, PhDs, millionaires, a retired high ranking military officer. Some would suggest that if one disagrees, one is a racist. I know people of color who do not agree with the plan, and I have a decades-old friend, Caucasian, retired, who is fully behind the president and the plan.

Two statements have continued to trouble me. The president has publicly stated that it may take 10 or more years to make the enacted plan a one-provider system; meaning the government. The other is when I heard Nancy Pelosi say there would be "caps on payments, and no caps on benefits." To me it means: The government will set costs to be paid out for a particular benefit, and the government will stipulate the definition of a benefit.

One might surmise that the two statements taken together mean total governmental takeover. I don't consider myself "hysterically ignorant," but I do agree we will "all lose if we don't begin checking our facts and checking our attitudes."

West Marcus
Montgomery

Blue only color that mattered

Last year, while walking my dog, I noted an intruder in my back yard at 11:30 p.m. With help from my neighbor, we contained him until the police arrived. We did not shoot him, hit him or otherwise abuse the African-American man, because my neighbor and I are reasonable, law-abiding Caucasian-Americans.

He and I were only interested in protecting my property, and possibly my person.

The Montgomery police arrived promptly. They were very professional toward us as they disarmed us for safety. They took the intruder to the street, and began to question the young man.

They were very respectful toward him, and I believe went well above what could have transpired. They even called several cell numbers for him to try to establish his identity. My neighbor and I were privy to the whole situation. Only when it became evident the intruder might have a mental problem did they place him in a vehicle and transport him downtown for safety and identification.

I did not sign a trespass warrant, and as far as I know, the police had more reason to protect him than arrest him.

The arriving officer was Caucasian-American, dressed in blue. The supervisor and other officers were African-American, dressed in blue.

If I have another problem late at night, I sure hope all those same blue uniforms show up.

West Marcus
Montgomery