The symptoms of an ailing system
I’m weary of the campaign and our political system. Every national election is the same. We spend far too much money and time debating symptoms and seldom, if ever, address the cause.
I vote because it is my responsibility, but I never feel educated. Our legislative process has been contaminated. Almost every bill passed is so laden with attachments and riders that the end result carries a host of unintended consequences. We need a straightforward system that provides a clear vote and clear accountability. The present system produces a campaign of semi-truth and hollow boasting. I cannot believe the claims of any candidate because their votes are an enigma.
I vote because it is my responsibility, but I seldom feel enthused. Why are term limits only imposed upon the president? I’d like to ask each candidate if they believe the founders of our government would be pleased to see a system led by professional politicians. Too much time and money is spent in an effort to assure re-election. Are obscenely expensive re-election campaigns good stewardship? Shouldn’t we be sending these people to Washington as stewards of our country, not promoters of self-interest?
I vote because it is my responsibility, but I don’t feel represented. Congress and the Senate should be bound by the legislation they pass. Those who make the laws should abide by them. Is it right for Congress and the Senate to have a privileged health care and retirement system? Wouldn’t you be more apt to fix your neighbor’s problem if it were also your own?
I vote because it is my responsibility, but I am frustrated. I pray that somewhere there’s a statesman and reformer who truly believes that elected representation requires first allegiance not to self or to party, but to the Republic.
ó Robert Melton
Salisbury
Concerned veteran
Let me explain why the changes to the VA system are not a good thing. I am a Vietnam veteran who had spent about 25 percent of my tour in three hospitals in two foreign countries, all cared for by the military. I am now a veteran with “service connected” on my VA medical card, but I receive zero disability compensation. While I was working in the corporate sector, I had an excellent major medical policy with 80/20 coverage to a maximum of a $2 million ceiling. But through losing that job after 9/11, I also lost my health coverage. I turned to the VA in desperation, and they were there.
As I stated in the recent meeting at the J.C. Price American Legion Post, there were many veterans in that meeting room that need all the services of the hospital more than I do and have had full services up to now; but the VA keeps taking away services we earned. VA hospitals are for veterans, but some of us are now being pushed back into the civilian sector. For veterans that do not have insurance because of previous conditions or age, making private insurance premiums unaffordably high, we will now be forced to possibly pay 100 percent of our emergency room care out of pocket.
Therefore, in my opinion, this is not in any way quality care to all veterans, and I am not so naive as to believe anyone that says it is a good thing for my fellow veterans or myself.
ó W.C. Wallin
Salisbury