Key to health care reform: less government, not more
President Obama predictably invokes altruism, the injunction to put others before self, to justify seizing the one-sixteenth of the private sector that produces medical services and health insurance. But choosing to be kept by the federal government is a choice not just for oneself, but for every American.
The progressive position is a profoundly regressive attempt to transform hard-won civil society into uncivil serfdom. Because one cannot opt out of the federal takeover, one group will be pitted against another in a tragically unnecessary struggle to obtain health care.
With the risk of failure balancing the reward of profit, capitalism rewards those who satisfy the needs of millions of unique individuals, allocating limited resources with unparalleled efficiency and without coercion. The federal government properly exists to protect and support individuals as they transact with each other, not to bestow competitive advantage or dispense goods and services seized from citizens.
Tell your congressional representatives that they are your employees, not your keepers.
Mary Albaugh
McLean
At-risk firefighters deserve workers’ compensation
Re: “Retired Montgomery County firefighters winning worker’s compensation claims,” Aug. 17
Contrary to this article, none of the Montgomery County firefighters mentioned were retired for 20 years before their heart disease manifested itself. They developed heart problems while they were with the fire department; however, it did not “disable” them until after they retired. And Dr. Nimetz was actually hired by Montgomery County to offer his opinion in each of the cases referenced.
However, the most glaringly missing piece of information is that over 50 years of medical studies have determined that firefighters have a much higher rate of heart disease than the general population, even though they are generally healthier prior to becoming a firefighter.
This elevated risk has been confirmed by numerous worldwide studies to be due to the stresses and strains of firefighting, as well as the toxic effects of inhaling noxious fumes during actual fires and the subsequent clean-up. It’s also the reason for the law’s presumption of compensability.
Kenneth M. Berman
Gaithersburg
Good thing Gov. Kaine agreed with Cuccinelli
Re: “Lawmakers seek fix for tougher forensics rules,” Aug. 18
State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli was the first statewide candidate to recognize the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Melendez decision on prosecutions in Virginia. The ruling will make it far easier for defense attorneys to compel live testimony by forensic analysts in drug and DUI trials.
Cuccinelli immediately understood this would result in an insupportable strain on a legal system already stretched to the limit, triggering severe backlogs in court trials and crime scene testing. He correctly concluded that the responsible way to solve the problem was to call for a special session so the Virginia General Assembly could find ways to mitigate the impact while still complying with the court’s mandate.
Steve Shannon, his opponent for attorney general, concluded otherwise. Calling Cuccinelli’s call for a special session “a political stunt,” Shannon said that the potential mess could be handled administratively. Fortunately, Gov. Tim Kaine agreed with Cuccinelli, whose sound judgment makes him the better qualified candidate.
Shannon demonstrated that he is simply another in an intolerable line of political opportunists who place politics and self-interest far above the needs of the people.
Thomas G. Bognanno
Springfield
