Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411280004
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
1990 fatalities from auto accidents: 46,814.
1990 fatalities from falling: 16,006.
1990 fatalities from drowning, 3,979.
It's quite possible that most people who read newspapers and watch television believe that being a passenger on an aircraft puts them at greater risk of dying than driving a car, falling down, or simply going for a swim.
BROOKS H. MAYSON ROANOKE
AARP must stand with its members
IT'S UNFORTUNATE that the American Association of Retired Persons' position on health care isn't in the best interests of the association's present and future members.
It's beyond my comprehension that AARP could have supported bills that would have cost far more than the present rates for Medicare, and much more than rates that members of Congress pay for their health plan.
True, all of us would like to see Medicare include drugs and dental coverage, as the congressional health plan does. And it costs members of Congress only $1,152 per family ($96 per month) for that coverage. The Clinton health-care plan would have cost considerably more than that: $1,800 to $4,200, depending on how much coverage was purchased. Medicare costs $984 ($82 per month) without drug and dental coverage. Another $168 annually and Medicare members could have the same coverage as have members of Congress. I suspect the congressional plan also has more health coverage than does Medicare. I believe that's the fair way to provide health coverage for all.
Why AARP hasn't fought harder against any further reductions in Medicare coverage is also beyond my understanding.
It's my prayer that AARP will stand up for its members when health reform is taken up by the next Congress, instead of siding with the private sector. Aren't private-sector groups the ones who've been in charge of setting rates for health coverage for the past 40 years? It seems 40 years is enough time to learn how to hold down costs. The continuing high costs prove, in my mind, that the private sector is incapable of holding down costs.
It's time the federal government stepped in and said, ``The buck stops here. Enough is enough!''
ROBERT ST. LAWRENCE SALEM
Pro-life position proved a winner
BEFORE your editorial-page editors continue their mantra that conservative Christians are a millstone around the neck of the Virginia GOP, I want to point out the following results from recent federal elections, as they probably won't make headlines due to liberal media bias:
Not one pro-life incumbent lost a seat (Republican or Democrat).
Twenty-four first-time, pro-life challengers ousted pro-abortion incumbents.
In addition, pro-life candidates won the majority of the open seats as well.
Nine pro-life, Republican women won seats in the House (including seven newcomers). Think of it, a pro-life women's caucus in the making.
Seven of the nine new Republican senators are pro-life.
And they say that pro-life is a loser?
TONY CONRAD COVINGTON
Disorder does not excuse wrongdoing
IN RESPONSE to the Nov. 17 article published in this newspaper concerning a Virginia rape charge where both the suspect and victim have been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder (``Multiple-personalities claim complicates Va. rape case'' from The Washington Post):
I was diagnosed in 1987 with this disorder. While it was upsetting to learn of my condition, I made a decision as a reasonable adult. Either I'd have to relinquish adult privileges, such as voting rights and my drivers license or, if I chose to retain them, I'd have to be held responsible for my actions as would any citizen. While the subjects of the article aren't to be blamed for their disorder, there's also no reason they should be allowed to subject society to behavior that would be considered unlawful for any other adult.
Over the years, I've become acquainted with several others in the Roanoke Valley who share my diagnosis. And everyone with whom I've spoken agrees that citizens who wish to retain the rights of adults in our society must abide by the same restrictions of behavior that apply to everyone else, no matter what their disability or history.
MAUREEN P. CASTERN ROANOKE
by CNB