Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 8, 1994 TAG: 9410110002
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The public would be better served if you published more about malpractice by lawyers.
Lawyers have enjoyed an open season on insurance companies, doctors, hospitals, drug companies and others. The number of lawsuits (many based on false or exaggerated claims) and the amounts of many settlements have caused an increase in costs in the medical field and elsewhere.
Some excellent doctors have closed their offices because of prohibitive insurance costs.
Drug companies have been hit with increased legal costs, and are forced to perform many redundant tests to reduce the risk of losing a lawsuit. These costs are added to the cost of developing and producing the drug. Drugs can be dispensed for a lower cost in some foreign countries, due to reduced legal costs and reduced bureaucracy.
Tort reform is the best medicine to prevent abortions of justice.
EARL ABBOTT
ROANOKE
Don't abandon statewide museum
YOUR recent news articles and the Aug. 11 editorial (``Don't cut the museum - grow it'') on the Virginia Museum of Natural History's future have failed to mention its most important function: its commonwealth-wide mandate in legislation, making it a state agency.
The recommendation of the Natural Resources subcommittee of the Governor's Commission on Government Reform implies that the museum exists only in Martinsville. This isn't true; there are branches in Blacksburg and Charlottesville, too. Among them, the three branches conserve several million plant, animal and geological specimens from Virginia, and produce a large portion of the research published on Virginia's rare and endangered species. The excellent collections and research were recognized this summer when the museum was accredited by the prestigious American Association of Museums.
Perhaps most important are its traveling exhibits and statewide education programs for school children. Through these outreach programs, it serves more Virginia residents than any museum in Virginia. To date, traveling exhibits such as Virginia's volcanoes at the Bristol Mall, field trips to the fossil-rich Solite Quarry in Pittsylvania County, and in-school visits around Virginia have reached more than 1.2 million adults and children.
An institution that helps educate 20 percent of Virginia's population must not be abandoned by state government.
DUNCAN M. PORTER
BLACKSBURG
Get the country off the dole
HOW WILL this country ever get people off the dole? The Social Security system wasn't set up to provide for 50 percent of the population to be cared for, or for the immigration influx of Mexican, Haitians, Cubans and others.
I must say this country is already facing economic, moral and spiritual destruction. Do you think the majority of young people realize the tragic situation we face?
ALVA L. NUTTER
ROANOKE
Heritage as political fodder
CHARLES Robb has exhibited his political correctness once again. The senator's comments regarding the St. Andrew's Cross (Sept. 24 news article, ``Dixie flag divisive, Robb says'') are all too common among those ignorant of, or who choose to slant, the truth.
The St. Andrew's Cross, more commonly known as the Confederate battle flag, is a proud symbol of the South and those who fought to preserve state rights against the ever-advancing federal powers of Lincoln and the national government.
Let's not forget or be mistaken that Lincoln pursued the American Civil War as a means to ensure union power and federal government control over all states. It was only well into the war, when Lincoln saw the issue of slavery as being to his own political advantage, that he used slavery as a war issue. Robb is doing the same thing now by using the issue of Southern heritage as political fodder.
PATRICIA A. HENRY
ROANOKE
Time for Coleman to exit, too
I WAS surprised recently when our ex-governor decided it was in the people's best interest that he withdraw from the U.S. Senate race. Doug Wilder may be considered a lot of things to a lot of people, but he's a gentleman and no one's fool.
What is Marshall Coleman's interest in the Senate race? Recent polls indicate his campaign is little more than a nuisance. It appears some attempt at saving face is called for. Coleman should step aside and let the people's choice prevail.
JAMES ARMSTRONG
ROANOKE
by CNB