I am writing in regards to HR 3962, the so-called "Affordable Health Care for America Act."
Representatives who voted for this bill deserve to lose their jobs for ignoring tremendous opposition against this bill by their constituents and voting the party line to please the Democrat caucus and President Obama.
Those who did not vote for the bill deserve thanks for standing up to Obama and the Democrats and representing the interests of the voters in their districts.
A vote for this bill was a vote against hard-working Americans who provide for themselves and don't look to the government to bail them out or provide for their needs. Contrary to what Democrats in Congress and Obama espouse, this bill will not provide secure and stable coverage for Americans with insurance -- it will force private insurance companies to fold and individuals will be forced onto the government plan. Neither will this bill expand coverage for those who do not have insurance because if they can't afford premiums now, they won't be able to afford it under a mandate either. It will lower the quality of care and raise costs for families and businesses, and increase the deficit.
The government has no place -- nor does it have permission -- to get into the health care business. They can't run the Post Office efficiently, the last thing they need to be running are emergency rooms.
DONNA JENKINS
Creedmoor
Invoking 'Laus Deo'
Laus Deo -- what does it mean? It is found on the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. No one can see these words, in fact, probably couldn't care less.
Laus Deo has been there many years, 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, facing skyward to the father of our nation, the United States of America. These Latin words, four syllables and seven letters, simply say, "Praise Be to God."
The monument has a history, too. No building can be higher in Washington, D.C., than the monument. The designer, Pierre Charles L'enfant, designed the monument as a perfect cross imposed on the landscape, White House to the north, Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
When the cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1848, many items, including the Holy Bible, were deposited. Speaking of the cross, you may ask, what about the separation of church and state. Yes, a cross -- separation of church and state was not in the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has a challenge now to a memorial cross in the Mojave Desert, erected in 1934 to honor World War I veterans. It will affect many religious symbols in public places. ACLU is behind this -- it will affect all veterans' memorials.
HOWARD BUCHANAN
Durham
