Letters to the Editor
Obesity in adults and children is at an all time high. Studies have shown that poor lifestyle choices such as drinking, smoking, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits cause or contribute to many, if not most, chronic diseases and illnesses.
Insurance companies merely administer the claims and spread the cost of care among all who are insured. Government regulations generally prevent establishing individual insurance rates based on lifestyle choices.
That requirement forces those who live healthy lifestyles to pay the same as those who don't. Contrast that to the auto insurance industry where careless drivers who incur a high incidence of accidents and tickets pay higher insurance premiums than those who are careful drivers.
None of the current plans being discussed in Washington will reduce health care costs.
Only when individuals begin to take responsibility for improving their health and lifestyles will our costs come under control.
Possibly our leaders in Washington need to establish incentives/disincentives which will encourage individuals to lead healtheir lifestyles.
Bob Van Ham
Aurora
Europeans are quick to criticize Guantanamo, but they refuse to take any of these prisoners onto their own shores. Until the Europeans match us soldier for soldier and rifle for rifle in the fight against terrorism, I don't give a darn what they think.
Our existing national debt (without health care reform) is $1.4 trillion. We spend almost $5 million a day in interest on this debt, most of it going to China.
We are in financial trouble, and yet the Democrats passed a $787 billion surge package in 12 hours before anyone could read it.
It is predicted that it would cost $80 million to close Guantanamo. For what, to please the Europeans? We can't afford it. Keep Gitmo open and keep these killers out of our country. 2010 will be the time to clean house in Washington.
Kent Catich
North Aurora
However, bad state management threatens to undue this remarkable effort. As many as 300 wolves will be killed by hunters this fall, with dozens more killed by wildlife agents for preying on livestock.
We need to adopt responsible, science-based wolf management strategies. We should manage wolves like other wildlife, such as mountain lions and bears, instead of treating them like pests and actively reducing their numbers to minimum levels.
Humans and wolves have coexisted for hundreds of years, and we should be able to continue to live with them.
Mark and Gill Gillono
Aurora
Surely, this economic crisis is proof positive that we desperately need Social Security and Medicare now and for our children and grandchildren.
So many of us have seen our savings depleted, home equity disappear, and health care costs skyrocket beyond our means.
I can't imagine facing this current crisis without Social Security and Medicare.
Unfortunately, rather than look for ways to strengthen these programs some in Congress are now using the current economic meltdown as political cover to renew their push for "reform."
These so-called budget hawks know Social Security and Medicare costs didn't create this crisis, yet they want to cut these vital programs to pay down President Bush's record budget deficit.
We can't balance the budget on the back of Social Security and Medicare.
Cutting Social Security and Medicare as a trade-off for stimulus is a false choice -- one I hope President Obama, Congress, and the American people will see through and reject.
Sincerely,
Shree Gurusamy
Naperville
Not only is this impractical, but I suggest that this has indeed already occurred, by virtue of the general election of last November.
How hard is it to understand that we get what we vote for; the handwriting was on the wall for all to see the beliefs of those running for Congress at that time!
In spite of that, those who were voted into office are now those same ones who are writing legislation that the majority of the people are against.
Wake up folks, and remember this in November 2010!
Art Schlicht
Sugar Grove
Often problems have been compounded by predatory lending.
We need HR 3126, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act, to regulate lending to make sure that every consumer financial product -- mortgage, car loan, payday loan, credit card, you name it -- can be understood and signed without fear of hidden costs, fees or higher interest payments appearing out of nowhere.
Rep. Bill Foster, as a member of the House Financial Services Committee and our representative in Washington, D.C., we call on you to strongly support the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and make sure HR 3126 is a strong law that enables credits users to have appropriate knowledge so they can be responsible consumers.
Bettye DeRamus
Director
Consumer Credit Counseling Service
Aurora
My bet is his mania was more due to drug abuse. The same can be said for Brian Dugan.
We know the destruction alcohol consumption can cause, but do we ever have a full report on the effects of illegal drugs?
How many street gang killers are high when committing murder?
If it's mind-altering, it's monster-making.
Mel Dormer
Aurora
