Letters to the editor

Editor,

Although a majority of those insured report they are currently satisfied with their health care, they need to be aware that premiums are growing four times faster than wages and that a catastrophic illness or accident can force families into bankruptcy. For-profit insurance companies are beholden to Wall Street, not those they insure. Our health care system is broken, and American families and businesses urgently need a solution.

President Obama has challenged Congress to pass real health care reform in 2009 that upholds three basic principles:

1. Reduce costs by improving efficiency and investing in preventative care.

2. Guarantee every American the right to choose their plan and doctor — including a public insurance option.

3. Ensure quality and affordable care for every American.

Congress must pass real health care reform in 2009.

Delphine Silverman

San Carlos

Heartbreaking health plan

Editor,

It breaks my heart to watch what my father fought for go right down the drain. Everyone I talk to does not want this health care plan. Even the ones who voted for Obama are feeling betrayed and lied to by his administration. For the first time in my 58 years of living in this great country as a fairly masculine man, I can honestly say that I am scared. I’m scared that my children will not have the chance to experience the same great life that I have.

The Obama administration will bring new laws that constrict us even more. With cap and trade, my small business will be forced out because of needless and blown-out-of-proportion laws and beliefs on global warming. While our country tries to fix the whole world, every other country keeps doing the same thing — we pay more. If this health care plan is so important and Obama thinks everyone wants it, then put it up to a vote by the people. Once the health care plan is voted down, the cost of the voting process would actually save money instead of spending money we don’t have.

If you really want to fix our health care system, stop giving free health care to illegals and stop frivolous medical lawsuits.

Ken Nocentini

Burlingame

Health care public option

Editor,

I am over 50 years old and currently paying an exponentially greater amount for my PPO health plan than when I first took it out in the year 2000. Even with this plan, I still pay what I consider a pretty good amount of money for my doctor visits and prescriptions. I just paid a bill for more than $800 on an emergency room visit that was just short of $1,100. I am ready for relief. I do respect the wishes of those who want to keep their private health plans, and may none of you ever get sick or injured.

But please, get out of the way and let the people we elected approve a public option for those of us who need it and can no longer afford today’s exorbitant costs for insurance and health care. The lamenting I hear about imposing the proposed health care system on Americans sounds a little hypocritical, especially in light of a New York Times poll showing over 70 percent of Americans want universal health care.

Ron Zucker

San Mateo

Health-care fiasco

Editor,

The Democrats have 60 seats in the U.S. Senate, a 78-vote majority in the House of Representatives and the White House. Why are the Republicans at fault for the health-care fiasco?

Keith C. De Filippis

San Jose

Middle-of-the-road Obama

Editor,

It’s really amazing how some folks actually see a danger of "Totalitarian Takeover” in the actions of our middle-of-the-road president. I have to date seen no sidearm-carrying protesters demanding that we adhere to his recommendations. It would indeed be interesting to see the reaction to having the same gunslingers wear turbans and have their signs written in Arabic.

I rather think their fear should be directed toward the continuing takeover by the multinational Mega-Corps of every corner of our lives, from political campaign funding, to the media, to banking, to trade agreements, to which wars they want fought to enable their "Corporate Takeovers” of the world’s resources. I would think that should represent the clear and present danger that they appear to be worried about.

I’m one of many progressives who see Obama as a less than adequate Solomon, who is just too willing to actually "split the baby” rather than take a more principled and firm course. That goes for his path in Afghanistan as well as corporate bailouts without re-regulation, as well as the health care issue.

Most progressives see in President Obama someone who is unwilling to put up a real fight to push our nation toward a single payer "Medicare For All” health care option where real cost control can happen when "for-profit” insurers are cut out of the action. I’m sure they can still make a dollar insuring some other aspect of our lives. Perhaps they can insure against the misuse of firearms?

Mike Caggiano

San Mateo

Note of appreciation

Editor,

I am 18 and a lover of San Mateo County and everything that happens in it, so The Daily Journal is right up my alley. I am writing simply because I want to tell your organization, and all of the people sitting on the bus reading this letter as I do every day that your newspaper makes my day go by so much faster, not to mention all of the new things I find out about San Mateo from reading the well-thought-out, interesting and unique articles put forth into your newspaper. I cannot count the times I have gotten on the 390 SamTrans with my Daily Journal in hand and felt at peace knowing that my mind will soon be filled with new information.

Connor Fleming

San Mateo