Letters to the Editor 07-02-2001
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Jeffords Switch - Small World - Singspiration - City Of Lakes Parade - Found Glasses - Patients' Rights
Jeffords Switch
Editor, Times-Union:I was impressed to read a reply to my former Letter to the Editor from a Matt Perry of New Orleans, La. I didn't realize the Times-Union had such far-reaching influence.
My family is still laughing at my "Republicans rule the world" philosophy. Apparently just living in Warsaw ordains me a Republican.
As my initial LTTE didn't concern my political beliefs, rather my concern regarding politician accountability to the voter, it would seem Mr. Perry misunderstood what I was writing about. His reply does confirm my belief that ... "there is no peace in agreement, no freedom in togetherness and no truth in communication." In an attempt to respond to Mr. Perry's comments, I have carefully read and reread his reply.
To assume that an equal division of the Senate "just happened" would ignore the fact that it was the commonality of the vote that resulted in an equal division. In past elections that same commonality of the voters has sent clear majorities of one party or the other to Congress. That would seem to indicate people do think in a like manner on some issues.
To assume Senator Jeffords' decision has favor with the people of Vermont could only be determined with certainty by another election and ignores the fact he has offered to return money to anyone in Vermont who supported his campaign. He is not willing to return money to outside contributors. If outside contributors gave to his re-election bid, wouldn't they expect him to represent their interests also, making him not only responsible to the voters of Vermont but to special interest groups as well.
Mr. Perry contributes qualities to Senator Jeffords that would seem to put him in the history books right up there with Patrick Henry. I see a senator who had established a public image of himself to the voters and his backers as a member of his political party for 26 years, and in a short six months after re-election, switched parties. That he did this in order to vote his conscience would only be true if he doesn't personally benefit from this move. Can he stand the test of Diogenes? He recently received an advance on a book he is writing which will explain to us why he changed. That will surely put to rest a lot of our doubts.
Mr. Perry injected much of his political bias into his reply that it would seem he sees me as the enemy because of preconceived ideas of my political views. In his quest to discredit me personally, he is missing the real danger to a free society. It becomes a pointless effort to vote if our vote does not bind an elected official for the term to which he was elected under the terms by which he was elected, i.e., representing the philosophy of the party on whose ballot he ran, but rather who can be influenced to change parties by special interest groups or individuals exerting undue influence. What would Mr. Perry's reaction have been if it had been an Independent switching to a Republican?
Alberta Wamsley
Warsaw
Small World
Editor, Times-Union:Ain't cyberspace wonderful? No matter where ya go, even as far away as Chula Vista, Ca., your old stomping grounds aren't far away.
Take this morning I logged onto America Online and found a picture of America's largest egg right there on the main street in Mentone, a town hitherto only noteworthy because it was near my old hometown of Sevastopol.
Keith Taylor
Chula Vista, Calif.
via e-mail
Singspiration
Editor, Times-Union:The "2nd Annual Kosciusko County Singspiration" at Central Park Sunday was a total success. People from all over our county, representing numerous denominations, were present. The 500-plus people present would all say it was a "little taste of heaven." Following the event people lingered for a long time just visiting with one another. Special thanks to churches who provided music and to everyone who made this year's singspiration a wonderful family event. Next year's "Third annual Kosciusko County Singspiration" is set for June 23, 2002. Mark your calendar and spread the word. Plans are already under way to make it better. To God be the glory.
For a strong and healthy Christian community,
Douglas W. Vogel
Pastor
Winona Lake Free Methodist Church
City Of Lakes Parade
Editor, Times-Union:As we reflect on the City of Lakes Parade, we are grateful for the quality and teamwork of the participants, sponsors and spectators. This was the first annual City of Lakes Festival and with the participation and effort of all involved, we are sure that this will be a tradition that only improves with age. This year's parade was a success because of the community-minded spirit of each participant and volunteer, something common in our community. Working with a limited budget could have been a hindrance, but the sponsors and donors readily stepped in giving the necessary resources to have a wonderful parade.
Thank you to everyone that helped to make this year's parade a success. We will see you next year.
Max Courtney & David Jones
Parade coordinators
Found Glasses
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to commend your staff on the efficient way that I was taken care of when I called your office to place an advertisement in the "Found" column. It was a pleasure to talk to the lady who helped me. My husband found a pair of glasses at a boat launch and hopes to get them back to the owner. As parents of a large family we are aware of the cost of health care in this economy, we hope that we can save someone the cost of a new pair of glasses. Thank you again for the help, and not charging the finder a fee for the ad. We think people should know this service is offered. You are "NOT" the weakest link ! Goodbye!
Mrs. Paul R. Howard
Warsaw
via e-mail
Patients' Rights
Editor, Times-Union:After reading your June 23 News Views article concerning the Patients' Bill of Rights, I concluded you're not in favor of a Bill of Rights. Whether you realize it or not, you provided a very cogent argument for universal health care. Your article stated, "If the cost of insurance goes up much more, employers are going to stop subsidizing health insurance premiums for their employees." You further stated when uninsureds (now at 43 million) receive health care and can't pay, the cost is passed on to the insured. Finally, you state, "If the cost of insurance keeps going up, nobody will be able to afford it." If for no other reason than self-interest, I would think the insureds would be in favor of universal health care. Then there wouldn't be any uninsureds whose cost would be passed on to insureds, everybody would be covered, the insurance companies would be left out of the circuit and your cost wouldn't double in 10 years. It is the only way to end the vicious cycle.
Randy W. Hunter
Warsaw
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Jeffords Switch
Editor, Times-Union:I was impressed to read a reply to my former Letter to the Editor from a Matt Perry of New Orleans, La. I didn't realize the Times-Union had such far-reaching influence.
My family is still laughing at my "Republicans rule the world" philosophy. Apparently just living in Warsaw ordains me a Republican.
As my initial LTTE didn't concern my political beliefs, rather my concern regarding politician accountability to the voter, it would seem Mr. Perry misunderstood what I was writing about. His reply does confirm my belief that ... "there is no peace in agreement, no freedom in togetherness and no truth in communication." In an attempt to respond to Mr. Perry's comments, I have carefully read and reread his reply.
To assume that an equal division of the Senate "just happened" would ignore the fact that it was the commonality of the vote that resulted in an equal division. In past elections that same commonality of the voters has sent clear majorities of one party or the other to Congress. That would seem to indicate people do think in a like manner on some issues.
To assume Senator Jeffords' decision has favor with the people of Vermont could only be determined with certainty by another election and ignores the fact he has offered to return money to anyone in Vermont who supported his campaign. He is not willing to return money to outside contributors. If outside contributors gave to his re-election bid, wouldn't they expect him to represent their interests also, making him not only responsible to the voters of Vermont but to special interest groups as well.
Mr. Perry contributes qualities to Senator Jeffords that would seem to put him in the history books right up there with Patrick Henry. I see a senator who had established a public image of himself to the voters and his backers as a member of his political party for 26 years, and in a short six months after re-election, switched parties. That he did this in order to vote his conscience would only be true if he doesn't personally benefit from this move. Can he stand the test of Diogenes? He recently received an advance on a book he is writing which will explain to us why he changed. That will surely put to rest a lot of our doubts.
Mr. Perry injected much of his political bias into his reply that it would seem he sees me as the enemy because of preconceived ideas of my political views. In his quest to discredit me personally, he is missing the real danger to a free society. It becomes a pointless effort to vote if our vote does not bind an elected official for the term to which he was elected under the terms by which he was elected, i.e., representing the philosophy of the party on whose ballot he ran, but rather who can be influenced to change parties by special interest groups or individuals exerting undue influence. What would Mr. Perry's reaction have been if it had been an Independent switching to a Republican?
Alberta Wamsley
Warsaw
Small World
Editor, Times-Union:Ain't cyberspace wonderful? No matter where ya go, even as far away as Chula Vista, Ca., your old stomping grounds aren't far away.
Take this morning I logged onto America Online and found a picture of America's largest egg right there on the main street in Mentone, a town hitherto only noteworthy because it was near my old hometown of Sevastopol.
Keith Taylor
Chula Vista, Calif.
via e-mail
Singspiration
Editor, Times-Union:The "2nd Annual Kosciusko County Singspiration" at Central Park Sunday was a total success. People from all over our county, representing numerous denominations, were present. The 500-plus people present would all say it was a "little taste of heaven." Following the event people lingered for a long time just visiting with one another. Special thanks to churches who provided music and to everyone who made this year's singspiration a wonderful family event. Next year's "Third annual Kosciusko County Singspiration" is set for June 23, 2002. Mark your calendar and spread the word. Plans are already under way to make it better. To God be the glory.
For a strong and healthy Christian community,
Douglas W. Vogel
Pastor
Winona Lake Free Methodist Church
City Of Lakes Parade
Editor, Times-Union:As we reflect on the City of Lakes Parade, we are grateful for the quality and teamwork of the participants, sponsors and spectators. This was the first annual City of Lakes Festival and with the participation and effort of all involved, we are sure that this will be a tradition that only improves with age. This year's parade was a success because of the community-minded spirit of each participant and volunteer, something common in our community. Working with a limited budget could have been a hindrance, but the sponsors and donors readily stepped in giving the necessary resources to have a wonderful parade.
Thank you to everyone that helped to make this year's parade a success. We will see you next year.
Max Courtney & David Jones
Parade coordinators
Found Glasses
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to commend your staff on the efficient way that I was taken care of when I called your office to place an advertisement in the "Found" column. It was a pleasure to talk to the lady who helped me. My husband found a pair of glasses at a boat launch and hopes to get them back to the owner. As parents of a large family we are aware of the cost of health care in this economy, we hope that we can save someone the cost of a new pair of glasses. Thank you again for the help, and not charging the finder a fee for the ad. We think people should know this service is offered. You are "NOT" the weakest link ! Goodbye!
Mrs. Paul R. Howard
Warsaw
via e-mail
Patients' Rights
Editor, Times-Union:After reading your June 23 News Views article concerning the Patients' Bill of Rights, I concluded you're not in favor of a Bill of Rights. Whether you realize it or not, you provided a very cogent argument for universal health care. Your article stated, "If the cost of insurance goes up much more, employers are going to stop subsidizing health insurance premiums for their employees." You further stated when uninsureds (now at 43 million) receive health care and can't pay, the cost is passed on to the insured. Finally, you state, "If the cost of insurance keeps going up, nobody will be able to afford it." If for no other reason than self-interest, I would think the insureds would be in favor of universal health care. Then there wouldn't be any uninsureds whose cost would be passed on to insureds, everybody would be covered, the insurance companies would be left out of the circuit and your cost wouldn't double in 10 years. It is the only way to end the vicious cycle.
Randy W. Hunter
Warsaw
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