There will be many explanations for our recent failure to get what we wanted regarding hosting the next Olympics Games. I would like to add mine. But first a question.
When your kids act up or disobey you, do you extend them favors? If your response is no, then you should understand what I am about to say.
For the last few months, Americans have been acting like immature children throwing a fit. We have attacked our properly elected president, shouting our insults and ridicule, when all he is attempting to accomplish is to aid most of those same shouting Americans.
We have displayed total disregard for character and virtue, issuing out the sorts of Bernie Madoff, John Edwards, even David Letterman, etc. I won't even attempt to enumerate the politicians.
And if this was not adequate, how about the beating death of that honor student in Chicago? The place where we wanted to host the Olympics.
I don't know how you feel, but I think America doesn't look like the kind of place you'd want to get too cozy with. It's past time for time-out, it is time for maturing into a more decent planetary citizen. Then others will be more likely to want to come out and play.
JOHN MAYO
Roxboro
Back Obama's plan
I never thought it would happen to me, but I experienced a series of health problems in 2008 that led to my being away from my home (and two jobs) for more than six months. I have been self-employed since 1986, and prior to that worked for companies with employee health insurance benefits.
Many times I tempted fate by having insufficient or no health coverage while maintaining my own business. The cost always outweighed the benefits because I was healthy and young.
A lot of people will try to make you believe that most Americans are against President Obama's efforts to reform the current health care system but in reality, the majority are in favor of it.
President Obama's plan will simply make insurance work better by holding the insurance industry accountable. Under the proposed plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to:
n Deny coverage based on a pre-existing conditions.
n Drop or weaken coverage when you get sick.
n Place a cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or a lifetime.
For all of those citizens who are without insurance, this plan will simply offer better and affordable choices. Participation is optional and nobody will be forced to change their current plan.
This is not just a plan for the unemployed or lazy. Most major health problems are out of our control. We must pass this bill now!
ELEANOR COX
Durham
