Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 12, 1995 TAG: 9504120025
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The waiting lists are long due to increased need of organs. There aren't enough donors to meet the needs. I waited 13 months, and others I know have waited much longer. Too many die waiting. Many deaths could be prevented if more people would become an organ donor.
I feel there's no excuse for not becoming a donor. Our bodies are a gift from God, and upon our death, we no longer need them. It's selfish not to offer your organs to save others. So, why aren't there more donors? I think it's a mixture of ignorance, fear and procrastination. Many who have healthy organs don't want to consider the fact that they could die at any time. But everyone needs to make arrangements to become a donor in case of death.
Two new lungs, donated by a family unknown to me at that time, have given me the gift of life. It's the most precious gift that anyone could give. I can now look ahead and plan for tomorrow, instead of spending all my time and energy just trying to make it through the day. I can now walk around my house without being attached to an oxygen tank. I no longer spend all my time just trying to breathe and keep my lungs clear. I no longer live in fear of suddenly having bleeding lungs or a collapsed lung. I'm now able to do things that I was never able to do before, like snorkeling.
I look at those in need of a transplant, and pray that they'll receive the same opportunity that I have. Although there's no legal obligation to contribute organs, the human and moral obligations should be considered. Please share your life and your decision with your family.
WHITNEY LEFTWICH
ROANOKE
Congress continues to have fiscal follies
THERE SEEM to be a few Americans who think, and a few more who think they think, but the majority would apparently rather die than think. We continue tolerating, if not to buy into, policies that have a track record of failure. Consider the specious arguments of the "honorable" senators who voted against a balanced-budget amendment. More smoke and mirrors. Do we really think Social Security will be safe if Congress continues to refuse to put our financial house in order? When our children display such fiscal irresponsibility, we cringe.
Our insatiable lust for instant gratification is finally catching up with us. The Democrats have maintained power for years by promising unending goodies for their constituents. Their recent votes indicate that they don't intend to change. Are we going to continue to sacrifice the future on the altar of the present? I fear for my children and grandchildren.
I'm going on 70, but please don't associate me with the doddering, affluent oldsters who appeared on television recently stating that ``Social Security is saved!'' If you would ask them which is worse, ignorance or apathy, they'd reply that they don't know and don't care.
DANIEL C. ESAU
ROANOKE
Pro-death activists are never shown
I WAS very disappointed, but not surprised, by the March 13 editorial cartoon showing the Republican presidential candidates sitting on a uterus. Phil Gramm was shown holding a sign that read ``anti-choice.'' I thought the ``anti-choice'' movement was more commonly known as ``pro-life.''
I'm sure those who oppose abortion would never be seen in your newspaper in a cartoon portraying abortion activists as ``pro-death.'' Nor would you print a cartoon with Democratic candidates sitting on an aborted child. I wouldn't want my point of view presented in that light, even if you would print it.
This cartoon is just another in a long line of articles and editorial opinions that depict those of us who view God-given life with respect and dignity as fanatical, intolerant people. This doesn't anger me, it saddens me.
BONNIE DAVIS
FINCASTLE
Trixie Averill takes on Del. Cranwell
IT'S MY opinion that we're in desperate need of a new delegate from the 6th District, and absolutely are in need of a new House majority leader.
I am overjoyed that we finally have a well-known and qualified lady to run against Richard Cranwell of Vinton. Her name is Trixie Averill, who announced her candidacy last week. (April 9 news article, ```Little ol' housewife' attracts big guns.'')
I plan to do all in my power to help her be elected.
HENRY M. FIELDS
ROANOKE
Congress must get to deficit's root
IN RESPONSE to Dan H. Pletta's March 6 letter to the editor, "Quit the gabbing; make the cuts":
For the greed to end, the IOUs have to stop ending up in the funds set aside for Social Security. More money needs to be funneled to put an end to fraud that riddles federal programs. Example: In Florida recently, a cab owner was found guilty of bilking the federal government of funds directed for Social Security from deceased recipients.
Politicians who continually dip into funds set aside for Social Security should take a stroll into a local rest home or retirement community and view, face to face, the lifestyles of those of us who depend on such income. Those of us who have contributed to the Social Security program for more than 60 years will remember the Nazi Baby era of 1936-1951 when the federal government took money designated for Social Security and never gave the payees credit. Sixty years later, to add insult to injury, when the time in life comes to pass from this Earth, we find that the maximum amount the federal government contributes to burial expenses is $255. It won't be paid for most of us, according to current policies.
To stop the deficit growth's current trend, like a tree, you must get to the growth stem, cut it and continually prune the remaining branches. The same politicians who continually vote themselves increases in salary also continually fund those increases through cuts to funds directed to us - those who had the poor insight to elect them. When will the cycle end?
CHARLES C. REMINES
SALEM
Giving it the gas in Boones Mill
I WOULD like to thank the Boones Mill Town Council for making public and endorsing the policy of the town's police officer to only ticket motorists exceeding 58 mph within the town limits (March 23 article, ``Isn't that just the limit?'').
It's quite a thrill trying to enter U.S. 220 against a barrage of vehicles traveling 45 mph. I can't wait to find out what an adrenaline rush it's going to be with traffic going 13 mph faster! Please pray for us.
KATIE MULLINS
BOONES MILL
Time to say no to pregnant teens
HOW can anyone be surprised at ``pregnant again'' (March 19 Extra section, ``The crisis continues'')? They have assured themselves a substantial pay raise at taxpayers' expense, and probably laugh all the way to the back seat of a car to ensure themselves another raise next year, again at the expense of already over-burdened taxpayers.
Their response probably is that ``it's their right.'' It's the taxpayers' right to refuse to support their blatantly irresponsible behavior.
When are Roanoke elected officials going to curb that practice, and say only ``one illegitimate child to a welfare mother''? It works. New Jersey proved it.
JEAN DYMOND
ROANOKE
Money is not the cure-all
I NOTED that Colleen Redman (March 28 commentary, ``Target the military for real savings'') is a writer. I don't know what she usually writes, but I bet it's fiction. How can anyone seriously advocate that the military budget is totally responsible for all our nation's ills? If just pouring money on problems was the cure, the United States would surely be Utopia!
For my fiction reading, I'm going to stick with Tom Clancy. He's more entertaining, and a lot closer to reality.
DAVID J. LOFGREN
SALEM
by CNB