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Letters, 2/28: The road to socialism

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Thursday, Feb 28, 2008 - 12:40:38 am CST

All the hype about universal health care is going overboard. Let’s have the government take over health care, oil companies, energy companies, farms and any other group making money. Let’s kill all free enterprises that make money and turn them over to a government that thinks the right thing to do is take from the ones who have and give to the ones who don’t.

The cause of all the problems now? Free health care, free food, free transportation and anything else to a group that can’t afford or doesn’t want to pay. When does a capitalist U.S.A. become a socialist U.S.A.?

Bill Allen, Blue Springs

Home-school arguments

Much of the recent argument against standardized testing of home-schooled children appears to take two forms: (1) home schooling works fine, so don’t mess with it, and (2) home-school parents will be forced to modify their teaching so their children will be better prepared for such tests.

If the first argument is correct, home-school proponents should offer hard data about success rates instead of anecdotal testimony. On the other hand, logic and experience indicate that some home-schooled kids are going to fall through the cracks for the simple reasons that some parents are unable, unprepared, or unwilling to educate them properly.

The second argument is unconvincing because if education is compulsory by state law, the state is also responsible for setting basic guidelines for subject matter as well as standards for performance.

Many home-school advocates fear standardized testing because they want to teach subjects that would not be covered by testing, such as creationism and the merits of opposite vs. same-sex marriage. Ron Zimmer (letters, Feb. 15) is right — knowledge of such subjects is unlikely to score points on standardized assessments, so his students would have to learn real science instead.

Norman D. Smith, Denton

Unfair attacks

Regarding “Nader says he’s entering election” (LJS, Feb. 25):

To anyone who cares about the state of electoral politics in this country, it should be more than a little worrying that a candidate would be attacked not for his policies or positions, but simply for running a legitimate campaign for public office.

Unlike the other presidential contenders, Republican and Democrat, whose words have to be analyzed and deconstructed to determine what it is they’re really saying, it seems Ralph Nader is the only one speaking to the concerns of ordinary Americans in clear and direct terms.

If voters are serious about wanting to end the inordinate influence of big money and special interests in government and restore it to people like you and me, they should listen to the candidates themselves rather than go by the labels the media and their opponents attach to them.

In case everyone forgot, this is a democracy, and anyone who is legally able to run for president — or any public office — has a right to do so.

Eric T. Foster, Lincoln

True Americans

I am a proud American. I fought for my country in World War II. Franklin D. Roosevelt was like a father to me.

I have always stood at attention with my right hand over my heart when I faced our Stars and Stripes. We all should feel that anyone who doesn’t show love and respect for our flag is not a true American.

If we are true Americans, we will vote for those who were born to mothers and fathers who were both Americans.

How can true Americans back a person whose father is a Muslim and who has a Muslim name, Barack Obama? How many Americans have lost loved ones killed by Muslims?

Donald W. Hunt, Lincoln


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Scott wrote on February 28, 2008 1:06 am:
" Are you serious, Don? 'Cause with written letters, we readers can't see your face to tell if you're being sarcastic or not. "

 Darren wrote on February 28, 2008 4:01 am:
" How many african-american's loved ones have been killed by whites in the course of creating this great nation?

I'm white, I'm for the war in Iraq, I'm a republican, and I will not be supporing Sen. Obama for president. However, the racism and generalization behind Mr. Hunt's statement is atrocious, and gives a bad name to those of us Republicans (and for that matter Nebraskans as a whole) that don't resort to childish propogana in selecting a candidate to support in this November's elections. Shame on you sir. "

 Wow wrote on February 28, 2008 4:06 am:
" Mr. Hunt as soon as people like you pass on this country can move forward. I can not believe you signed your name to that editorial. And it does not matter to me if someone does not wear a little flag pin on them. That has nothing to do with showing how true of an American you are. "

 Mindless Robot wrote on February 28, 2008 4:21 am:
" The Far Right letters just get more and more petty and desperate. "

 Great, the fallacies begin!!! wrote on February 28, 2008 5:04 am:
" So just because of Barack's name and the fact that his father was a defunct Muslim, yes, do some actual research, Barack Obama Sr. had all but left his religion when he went to college and met Barack's mother. Also how dare you use guilt-by-association Donald! I know good "Christians" who terrorized and killed and maimed people such as the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, Eric Rudolph thought it was okay to blow up abortion clinics, gay bars, and people's mailboxes, the KKK members believe themeselves to be doing the work of God as they lynch blacks and burn crosses, but I don't dare guilt all fellow Christians in the same bunch as these radical nuts! It's sad to see that you apparently do. Also I don't hold my hand over my heart, and I don't see myself as any less American, and just because someone's name isn't the typical Bob Smith, doesn't make them any less of an American. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii. He is a Christian man who belongs to the United Church of Christ. You want to bash someone for where they're born, John McCain (wow isn't that such a "nice" American name?) was born in Panama, yes you can argue that the U.S. still had control of Panama, but it's ridiculous that McCain's birth is a symbol of America's former dark and shameful ties to imperialism. Barack instead represents a new direction for America, the restoration of the American dream where a kid from Hawaii with a funny name can go on to be President of the United States of America! "

 stignob wrote on February 28, 2008 6:27 am:
" Correction Mr. Foster we're a Constitutional republic. "

 Zoomie wrote on February 28, 2008 6:30 am:
" Mr Foster, I don't attack Nader for his views and policies. I attack Nader because in 2000 he clearly stated he was running to hurt Al Gore, not to advance the political scene. He ran with the intention of assisting George W. Bush, and he justified it by claiming (and still claims) there was no difference between Bush and Gore. That, my friend, also tells me Nader is literally insance and unfit to hold public office! "

 German wrote on February 28, 2008 6:32 am:
" I have German roots with a German name, does that mean I should not run for President? Afterall, how many Americans lost loved ones to the Germans in World War II? Should I be held accountable for the actions of Hitler's regime even though my parents left Gemany so they could have a better life in America? I guess I should change my name so people don't think I'm German and then I'll have a chance to run for President one day. "

 Zoomie wrote on February 28, 2008 6:36 am:
" Mr Allen, before you pontificate against socialism, perhaps you should look up what the word means. It means placing the means of production under gov't control and ownership. So in the healthcare debate, it would make all doctors and hospitals on the gov't salary. But the only people talking about such things are...opponents of universal healthcare!!! Not one supporter of universal healthcare is advocating gov't ownership of the healthcare system. Nor are they calling for a Canadian or British-style system, which both have serious problems. On the other hand, the system named the most efficient and successful system in the world, covering 100% of all citizens at less than half the cost per capita as our current failed system, should be a model to build our system on! Since when is it considered unAmerican to want to improve a failed system by adopting the best system in the world? Seems to me if anyone is anti-capitalist, its people such as yourselves who demand we retain a failed system, with its never ending double-digit annual price increases! Isn't it closer to socialism to demand the gov't (via vets healthcare and Medicare) keep funding such price increases every year? "

 CS wrote on February 28, 2008 6:43 am:
" There are some things, Mr. Allen, like health care, access to fuels, and food, that should not be profit driven. I prefer partial socialism to a model where the profit goals of one person or group are responsible for the suffering of many just to make a dollar. Having some areas of the economy socialized is not the end of the world, even for Blue Springs, NE. Having grown up there and graduated from there I could think of several ways that access to free health care and realistically priced fuels could benefit a village that is 20 miles from the nearest (barely) well paying jobs. When the nearest hospital and job that pays more that high school wages is in Beatrice or Lincoln, and some people in Blue Springs and Wymore have to decide whether to pay for gas or groceries its not hard to see that a completely capital system that looks out only for the investors is wrong. "

 Hank wrote on February 28, 2008 7:04 am:
" Bill, the healthcare system is already 60 percent government-funded with Medicare, Medicaid, Vetarans benefits, and tax deductions for health insurance. It is interesting to note that foreign countries with better healthcare systems pay about 60 percent of what we pay for our lousy system. We effectively throw away 40 percent of what we pay for health on insurance companies, over-charging by drug companies, overpaid doctors, and early deaths for the many people who fall through the cracks. Hurrah for "private" healthcare. We urgently need to eliminate the bad incentives for the private leeches that take advantage of the current "mixed" system. That means only one thing: a single payer, universal system that covers everyone, has incentives to provide preventive care, and will cost 60 percent of what we now pay for lousy service and insurance hassles. Wake up and stop with the stupid slogans about "socialism" and "capitalism." What we have is a poor healthcare system that is causing a lot of people to suffer and die needlessly. "

 Pauline Clark wrote on February 28, 2008 7:07 am:
" Response to Donald Hunt!! OH MY GAUD!!!! You call yourself an American?? and Yet you bash an American because of his Nationally, Was he not born in the americas, Did he not serve his county in the senate as an American, I was born her, raised here and continue to live here, but, My grandparents and family are Germans, with German names, are we than considered not be true Americans?? No My Family served in the Military and gave our support the this country just as you did. But, you are saying if we have a differnt name our family wasnt born in USA we are not True Americans. I think you have failed to realize that no one but of course the American Indian is a True American in your eyes. How do you define a true American, Does being born here make you an American? Does Placing your Hand over your Heart make you an American ? Does serving in the Military make you an American? None of those things can define you as an American. An American is a person who opens their Arms to the down hearted, who protects our freedom, Who belives we are all created equal, Who knows that God is our Leader and our faith keeps us Free. Our Love for the Human race and the ability to support all people as one is what makes us TRUE AMERICANS ONE NATION UNDER GOD. Not you have to have parents that were born in America if that were the case NONE OF US ARE TRUE AMERICANS!!!!! Its people with your attitude shakes our Nation. And you separte us by our Nationally, So you are saying People who came to America Such as those from Japan, Germany, Viet Nam or where ever we have fought are war are not Americans. So SAD "

 Tammy wrote on February 28, 2008 7:22 am:
" Oh Mr Hunt. You are doing your generation a great disservice with such a letter. My father fought in WWII and Korea, his mother was not "American born"...does that make him less an American? My great-grandfather fought in WWI, HE was not "American born"...was he any less an American? You should be ashamed of yourself for promoting such fear mongering ideas. Is that what you fought for? Is that what so many of your bretheren died for? "

 Jody P. wrote on February 28, 2008 7:50 am:
" Hmmm. You think maybe Obama's promise to "bring us all together" might not be so easy for him to keep, after all? Apparently the message of Obama's supporters is that either we support Obama, or else we're a bunch of lousy stinking racist old people. I guess when all of our bodies have finally been snatched by the Obama pod-people, we'll indeed all be together, as they promise. "

 What's the point, Bill? wrote on February 28, 2008 7:54 am:
" Bill, I'm not sure what you mean with your rant. But it's typical of those opposing universal health care. The US is the only industrialized nation in the word without universal health care. The current US health care system is a total failure. We need a change. And someone raving "We're all gonna be communists if we adopt universal health care!!!!" does nothing to support the current system. "

 John Holmes wrote on February 28, 2008 8:14 am:
" It's letters like the one from Mr. Hunt that make me race to the Opinions page every morning. Are there really people this ignorant in the world? Thank you for affirming that for me, Don. "

 dan wrote on February 28, 2008 8:18 am:
" My question is not for Mr. Hunt, since talking to him is obviously a waste of time. My question is for the Journal Star: Is there any letter you won't publish? Do you have any standards at all, or can any bigoted moron use your paper as a forum? "

 MarkyMark wrote on February 28, 2008 8:22 am:
" Correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Hunt, but I will wager dollars to doughnuts, that you supported Mr George Bush Jr twice. If that is the case, please don't scrutinize or coach thinking Americans how to vote! "

 Mixed Blood wrote on February 28, 2008 8:23 am:
" Mr. Hunt, I am German, Swedish, Dutch, Irish, Scottish, English, Blackfoot and Cherokee. Does that make me more or less of an American than you? BTW--Adolf Hitler, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy--their parents were all of Christian backgrounds. "

 Medical Costs Soaring wrote on February 28, 2008 8:38 am:
" Hang on to your hats. Like it or not Universal Health Care IS coming. We have no one to blame but the American Medical Association themselves. 20 years ago the Health industry owned 14% of the US economy. With double digit inflation year after year, that amount is now approaching 20% of our economy. This abomination has been allowed to happen by our politicians. When Bill and Hillary were looking at health care in the early '90s, health care inflation slowed to around 3-4% annually. When Bush was elected it went right back to annual double digit inflation. I remember Conservatives screaming back in the 60's about the "Socialized Medicine" that was passed known as Medicare. Like it or not, without Medicare, Your 75-80 year old grandparents, parents, or even yourself would be paying between $1,500-$2,000 per month for a $1,000 deductible policy. I know. I spent 20 years in the health insurance business. The American Medical Association has way too much power and greed. Enough is enough. "

 Sorry wrote on February 28, 2008 8:38 am:
" Don. The muslims did kill over 3000 americans in the 911 attack, but, GW Bush has over 4000 americans deaths on his record. I have over 20 years military service but my ancestors are Irish. I have always looked up to the servicemen and women of WWII. I don't think we need 4 more years of the Bush politics which we will get with McCAin. I just found out that the five million dollars that was appropriated for a v.a. clinic where I live was instead used in Iraq. Is that anyway to treat the veterans who have given so much? You, yourself should be outraged by something like this. My batallion is in Iraq again and I would like them to get back safe. By that I mean now. WWII didn't last as long as this fiasco with no end in sight. "

 Lindsay wrote on February 28, 2008 8:59 am:
" You got to be serious Don? Wow, if you apply that logic, then we shouldn't like anyone with a German name (which is probably half of Nebraska) because they aren't Americans and they maybe killed some family members in WWII? Good to see racism alive and well in Lincoln! "

 Geoscience Alum wrote on February 28, 2008 9:00 am:
" The letter by Norm Smith says it all, full of facts and truths many don't like to hear, excellent ! If home-schooling is working so well and it is such a success, then why be afraid of the standardized tests that every other student in Nebraska has to take? Being intelligent is more than knowing and thinking. It is a social experience that prepares one for life in the real world where you interact with people, have to be part of a team, relate to others and follow rules and standards set by employers and society. Again, very good letter ! "

 T wrote on February 28, 2008 9:11 am:
" Hmmm, scraping the barrel today for the letters. First of all no one in Nebraska or this country has any idea what socialism is, and no trying to solve a problem that puts nearly one hundred million people at risk each year is not socialism. That is like saying "did you see the county workers fixing that pot hole the other day? What's next the county taking the jobs of private glass and concrete contractors too?" And people have got to get over this Obama thing. Hey guess what, Muslims in America are Americans too, and guess what else, they tend to be very loyal Americans. How many homegrown terrorists have struck the US? One and Timmothy McVeigh was a Christian, so lay off. I love this state, but sentiments like this is why people make fun of us, and this has to stop. "

 Ryan wrote on February 28, 2008 9:16 am:
" I'm curious if Mr Allen's children went to public school for free, or have ever used the library, or needed police support. I pay for these programs even though I don't really use them. Because other people do. It's called community and if he wants to label it 'socialism,' obviously not really knowing the real definition of that word, then so be it, but I prefer to think of it as helping those that can't help themselves. It doesn't hurt me. I still live comfortably, but if my taxes go to services that can help someone else then I'm all for it. I think we should be more concerned about when America became such a SELFISH nation than throwing out red-baiting words that aren't applicable. "

 Josh wrote on February 28, 2008 9:42 am:
" That the LJS would publish a letter like Donald Hunt's is as shameful as the letter itself. "

 ViewPoint wrote on February 28, 2008 9:46 am:
" At least voters like Don will keep California's govenator from ever becoming president. "

 Jeff wrote on February 28, 2008 9:58 am:
" Capitalism and healthcare do not work together like they do in most segments of our economy. No one will pretend that our current system is working - when you've got 31% of all healthcare dollars going to the bureaucracy just to run the system. When drug companies and insurance companies are making double digit profit margins and private businesses and citizens are being overwhelmed with healthcare costs. It is forcing jobs out of the country. I work in healthcare - so maybe I should be happy, but I see our non-profit community hospitals struggling to survive while for-profit entities cherry pick off the profitable patients. All costs are shifted to paying patients - e.g. those who have insurance -so we all pay for it one way or another. The U.S. economy is supporting drug costs for the entire world as we pay double and triple the cost for medications. And the drug companies research and development gets you what? More male erectile dysfunctions medications? More acid reflux drugs? The real breakthroughs are coming from NIH and academic research, because they are not all motivated by how much money they will make. It's got to change. It doesn't have to be a carbon copy of Canada. "

 Meredith wrote on February 28, 2008 10:01 am:
" You're right Don. I think from birth he has been groomed to fool the American public so that he can get elected as leader of the freeworld - in order to get Black muslims in control of our country. You're such a brilliant man. Have you ever thought about having a talk radio show? And did you notice the color of the man's skin? You know what kinds of things would happen if we let "those people" get in control. But one thing puzzles me. If this was his plan, I think he would not hesitate to put his hand over his heart during the nations anthem, just to fool us all. "

 Seth wrote on February 28, 2008 10:11 am:
" Donald - Your letter makes me ill. Journal Star: This should not be a forum for bigoted speech. "

 Socialist Survivor wrote on February 28, 2008 10:32 am:
" I do have a slight advantage having lived in the former DRR, The German Democratic Republic, or as we were told a true socialist paradise. We had free universal healthcare, where the government decided if your healthcare was in the best interest of the state, if not you were allowed to die, but is was free. We had universal housing, 3 generations of families in a 50 square meter apartment, and we even had electricity 14 hours a day, with no utility bill. Food was inexpensive and with no profit to be made, problem was we could never find any in our stores outside of the limited ration lines. We grew a garden for fresh vegatables, only way we could have them. As a taxi driver I had the honor to drive a 2cycle Trabi automobile, for maybe 12marks a day, having to pay the state for my petrol from that set daily rate. My rationed automobile was not due to be delievered until 1993, four years after the fall of the wall, and the money I saved, then payed the government in 1985 for the automobile will never be recovered. I do shudder when I hear the people and government demand and make the same promises of a utopia of free services. I do like paying for all the services here in America, and I appreciate the health care I can now get, compared to what my family recieved for free. For I do understand what the potentials are of a government running and rationing your service. My question is what costs are you the people willing to pay for your "universal" or as we were told to called it a true socialist paradise. "

 truth wrote on February 28, 2008 10:32 am:
" It's nice to see Mr. Hunt trash a whole segment of American society. I guess by his standard, the great WWII general Omar Bradley should have been run out of the country. Let's stop with the thinly-veiled racism and bigotry behind the attacks on Obama's heritage. This article has a great take on the origins of Obama's name and should be required reading:
http://www.juancole.com/2008/02/barack-hussein-obama-omar-bradley.html "

 db wrote on February 28, 2008 10:36 am:
" I have mixed feelings on LJS publishing Hunt's letter. I think it is good to be reminded that certain views exist even if it is offensive. It is kind of like going to Walmart or a carnival -- a reminder that some people who you think just exist in books or tv shows really do exist. "

 seriously wrote on February 28, 2008 10:38 am:
" Don, seriously, have you not also read the truth about Barack Obama, he is not a Muslim. He is a Christian, he was born in this country. Whats the big deal about his name? So what, think for yourself and not what others want you to believe. I am a true American but who has the right to tell me whether or not I place my hand over my heart when the National Anthem is played? I thought it was only for the Pledge of Allegiance. I fly a flag at my home year round, I do take it down in bad weather, but it goes right back up. So, since I dont sing, place my hand over my heart I am concidered un-American? My grandfathers also fought it the wars before my time, just as you did. And thank you for that, but to continually bash this man for lies is ridiculas. If his name was Norman Johnson would you feel better about it? At least he isnt a idiot who has destroyed this countries economy, got rich off of oil along with his buddies and has sent our troops to a war that his Daddy started and he felt the need to finish. "

 JP wrote on February 28, 2008 10:40 am:
" What is socialism? Need look no farther than Nebraska.
Thats as close as you can come. And if you don't believe
me you haven't lived in other "free" states with taxes
more than 6 times lower plus everything else. Any place
I've lived they don't fine you for not shoveling snow off
the sidewalks, not to mention by 9 A.M. Not a day goes
by that I don't point out some extravegant thing Lincoln
& Nebraska wastes taxpayers money on. Man could I save
this state alot of money on ridiculous crap!!!!! "

 osisbs wrote on February 28, 2008 10:54 am:
" Barack Obama's mom is white and from Kansas, which makes him a Jayhawk, not a Muslim. Get it straight. "

 Jack wrote on February 28, 2008 10:57 am:
" Mr. Hunt's letter symbolizes the thought process of far too many people in this country. Gee, and you wonder what's wrong? Good one Mr. Hunt.....I personally fear you and your ideals more than any other. "

 peb wrote on February 28, 2008 11:10 am:
" The U.S. Constitution was written by people whose parents were more than likely not born in the United States. My grandparents were not born in the U.S. and the same goes for many people in my age group. "

 Tara wrote on February 28, 2008 11:34 am:
" I'm curious as to what Mr. Hunt thinks of the recent trend of "All-American," white, Christian parents giving their children un-pronouncable non-names like Amelie, Makenzy, Fawsterh, Eleise, Brookelin, and Chrystien. Just painful. Give me a traditional Muslim name over any one of these atrocities any day. "

 Um, Jody? wrote on February 28, 2008 11:54 am:
" There is a huge difference between not supporting Obama because you disagree with his positions on the issues, and not supporting him because his Dad was Muslim. If you can't see that... "

 That Guy wrote on February 28, 2008 11:58 am:
" I think that Donald Hunt's letter was satire.

God, I hope it was satire... "

 Ryan wrote on February 28, 2008 12:10 pm:
" For those who would not vote for Obama because of his middle name:

That is basically an admission that you don't have the capacity to identify and judge a candidate on real issues. We as a country have struggled with this for generations. Women, blacks, atheists, fundamentalists, (you fill in the blank) can't do this or that because of some myopic reason. Grow up and play nice together. You should have learned that in kindergarten. "

 nora baker wrote on February 28, 2008 12:18 pm:
" Socialist survivor seems to be the only one who truly understands what socialism really is. To have everything controlled by the government is to lose all personal liberties. Too many people think getting everything for free is wonderful. There is no incentive to advance and prosper. When the socialist government owns everything, who will work hard to better their lives? Those who the government feels are getting too rich will have it taken away and divided among those who have no motivation. Big Brother will provide everything from cradle to grave. Is this what our Founding Fathers had in mind? America needs to wake up and realize what is being insidiously promoted. Being free does not mean being given everything free!! "

 Edgar Pearlstein wrote on February 28, 2008 12:46 pm:
" Nebraska electric power is completely socialist. And we do fine with it! "

 Susan wrote on February 28, 2008 1:12 pm:
" Socialism, communism, capitalism, whateverism...the rich get richer, the poor get poorer. Why would providing healthcare to all who need it be socialism? Who is so hard of heart to think you can only see a doctor, if you have the money?

And furthermore, close down the charities and build houses and clinics with those dollars. See if that grows the economy and then we can rest easy that our taxes are just spent killing foreigners.

If the end result of a system of healthcare is the same (dying for lack of it), then why claim one superior to the other. For the poor, working or not, it's not a matter of living within your means to be able to afford healthcare. Some begrudge them their tax dollars to provide treatment, which makes it even harder to improve their circumstances, and then blame them for not trying hard enough. Close down the charities and build houses and clinics with our donations. "

 Jaswal wrote on February 28, 2008 2:03 pm:
" I am saddened to read Mr. Hunt's letter about Senator Obama.Using his logic, Mr. Bush is not qualified to be the president, because white Christians committed horrible atrocities against the natives while pillaging their resources and taking over their lands during the last several centuries. A civil discourse requires that we must be respectful, rational and present logical and well reasoned arguments. "

 Soaring Medical Costs wrote on February 28, 2008 2:24 pm:
" There are a whole lot of Democratic countries out there with National Health care...Being a Socialist Country is not a requirement for National Healthcare. "

 U.S. Survivor? wrote on February 28, 2008 2:32 pm:
" I have the disadvantage of living in the US. The United States of America, or as we were told, one of the richest nations in the world. They failed to mention that 80% of the wealth is in the hands of 5% of the citizenry. The government decided that the best way to provide health care was to allow private insurance companies to tell people what care they could or couldn’t have, while raising their premiums by double digit percentages each year. The government also came up with extremely complicated systems of providing health care for certain individuals, such as veterans and the elderly. These complicated systems, which few could truly understand, allowed the insurance companies to exploit loopholes and make even more money off the taxpayers. Drug companies, along with the insurance companies, lobbied the government to maintain the status quo and thus ensure their high profits. Meanwhile many of the citizenry had substandard health coverage or no coverage at all. On the plus side, the 5% who held the bulk of the wealth could afford the best health care in the world! My question is what costs are you the people willing to pay to ensure high profits for the insurance companies and the drug companies, and to provide the best health care in the world for the 5% who can afford it. "

 Jack Brass wrote on February 28, 2008 3:31 pm:
" Don,

Many of my ancestors were killed by the English! How many of our founding citizens were killed by the British! Outrageous! The unfair taxation. The bad teeth. The lunatic comedies that they export. The shoddy automobiles.

Thank you Journal Star editorials for giving me hope that knee jerk bigotism is still alive! There is some sarcasm here. "

 Josh wrote on February 28, 2008 3:45 pm:
" Technically, John McCain is not eligible to be president as he is not a "natural-born citizen" of the US. He was born in the Panama Canal Zone - not one of the 50 states. So I guess Hillary Clinton will be the next president! "

 JT wrote on February 28, 2008 3:45 pm:
" I'm going to have to guess that Donald Hunt's letter is a joke, because I don't think anyone is that bigoted. If it's real, thanks Donald, you probably just pushed about 10,000 more people to vote for the next president of the USA, Barack Obama. "

 Theresa wrote on February 28, 2008 4:02 pm:
" Wow! The paranoia in these letters today is laughable! Bill Allen seems like the kind who help up his own grandmother up if she fell, and Don Hunt... wow. I'm glad that nobody really takes you seriously. "

 Socialist Survivor wrote on February 28, 2008 4:39 pm:
" There is no true difference US Survivor, 5% of the privledged class in our classless socialist utopia also recieved the best health care, but at least here in America you do have an option, pay or suffer, we the 95%in the DDR did not have that option. You complain here all the time about the capitalist elite, look at this from where I do, your illegal aliens have better health care options than the 95% in the DDR ever did. Until your government places you under this kind of systems and the corruption of the political elite provide a better system only for themselves, only then will you truely understand why I prefere to pay for healthcare that I can by choice at a level I can afford, better than anything I had before. Do not kid yourselves, any form of universial healthcare will be a two tiered system, the 5% and again the 95%. The problem here in America is the 95% prioritize thier home economy based on pleasure items instead of actual survival needs. For you here never truely had to decide on whether to eat that night, or buy a lightbulb on the black market. I prefere to be part of the American 95% than a socialist 95%. "

 Ryan wrote on February 28, 2008 4:45 pm:
" How about universal health care for children? I want to hear someone tell me that the government shouldn't provide healthcare for children and then try to justify it. Go ahead. So if a child loses his parents or one parent kills they other and goes to prison who provides that child with healthcare. No one. So the child gets leukemia and dies because he doesn't have coverage. Universal health care is socialism? If you want to label compassion as socialism then I pray your children never have to suffer that fate. I on the other hand will do what it takes to assure that innocent children don't die in the richest country in the world. "

 stignob wrote on February 28, 2008 6:33 pm:
" Some people still don't get it. Even a person from experience of living in this govt. "utopia" telling his side of their nightmares of what they went through of govt. control. Maybe it was the wrong kind of social engineering or maybe it was the wrong leadership? Face it, history has PROVEN that socialism is a dead end to COMMUNISM! It's all part of the cycle... "

 JimDandy wrote on February 28, 2008 8:52 pm:
" Pure capitalism doesn't work. Pure socialism doesn't work. We try to strike a balance. Always wonder how many of the Nebraskans railing against 'socialist' policies are beneficiaries of the farm welfare program, social security, or medicare, or have family members benefiting from those programs. "

 Don wrote on February 28, 2008 11:08 pm:
" I went to a website called the homeschool legal defense association. They reported a study done in 1997 that did a survey of 5402 students from 1057 families and found that they outperformed their counterparts in public schools by 30 to 37 percentile points in all subjects. I would say that this trend continues today. There are homeschool parents that do not do a good job, but by and large these students are doing very well. "

 Yup wrote on February 28, 2008 11:24 pm:
" Of course I don't believe the fear that Donald Hunt expresses about Obama, but actually people should take what he says seriously. His is another side of people voting in the election. You may not believe it, but there is a quiet group of voters that are not the rah rah fall into a faint over Obama. Some people believe there is some credible concern over whether or not he is a Muslim. This isn't as far fetched as you'd think. Remember when we distrusted Japanese-Americans? After the World Trade Center bombing, Muslims were targeted as all being terrorists. Most are still scrutinized when flying. We've been told daily by the news that Muslims will infiltrate our ranks. There is even a poster on a national news web site that signs as Jihad, bragging about taking over when Obama gets elected. You would do better to get the message out that Obama is not to be feard, than to belittle and ridicule Mr Hunt's opinion. "

 goob wrote on February 29, 2008 12:31 am:
" Mr Hunt,
FIrst THANK YOU for your service and YOUR GENERATION! Sadly, what your generation gave to this country and people are being sold to the highest foreign money men.
And yes for the majority they are muslim. We as a nation are doomed and may well be under sharia law in no time flat!
Thank you for your HONESTY! May you be well my friend.
Again, THANK YOU !!
God Bless and God Speed "

 goob wrote on February 29, 2008 12:38 am:
" Universal health care has been proven it does NOT work. Look around the globe with those who use it and they horrific state they are in. Stop depending on government hand outs. Anything the gov tries to run they destroy. Wake up Americans! "

 Zoomie wrote on February 29, 2008 7:00 am:
" Stignob, an amazing day, I actually agree with you! Communism is a total failure; socialism really doesn't work! So...let's switch to the French single-payer system! Its not socialist (all doctors and hospitals, except for a small percentage of gov't employees just like here in the US, are in private practice and privately owned)! There are private health insurance companies; private practices; no one is forced to go to a doctor they don't like (unlike our current system in which private insurance companies tell you who you can use and who you can't use). And they cover 100% of their population for only 40% (per capita) the cost of our current system! We would improve our economy by roughly $1 TRILLION per year overnight, while providing care for all! What's not to like! "

 Shame on LJS wrote on February 29, 2008 7:34 am:
" Mr Hunt's comments should have never reached the editorial page. Are the student interns running the LJS or has Lee Enterprises really sunk this low? "

 Health Care wrote on February 29, 2008 7:47 am:
" Mr Allen is probably the corporate health insurance system's Man of the Year for Nebraska. Unfortunately, as a health care worker for the better part of 20 years, I know that Mr Allen is spouting a rhetoric that is as broken as the current system of health provision. I myself was denied a medication, prescribed for me by my doctor, because my insurance company did not want to pay for it. That company forced me to accept a completely different medication, with different actions and different side effects because it was cheaper for them. So much for choice. I work in a hospital and will tell you that people are amazingly cured the day their insurance stops paying for their care. Hmmmm? why would that happen?? The current health care system is all about companies grabbing for as much of the money as they can. Patient outcomes (things like getting better, having healthy blood pressure, having controlled diabetes) all take a back seat to corporate profits (as well as not-for-profit profits). Don't kid yourself Mr Allen. The current system is corrupt and broken. If taking care of our sick isn't more important than making a buck off them, then we are not a socialist or capitalist USA. We are then a corporate USA, and your and my function simply becomes to give money to the corporate leaders. Beyond that we become irrelevant. "

 stignob wrote on February 29, 2008 8:00 am:
" Zoomie, you're forgetting one thing, comparing the US to the French is apples and oranges, the French overall as a society is healthier due to their culture. Our culture is fast and junk food. Look at the obesity rate of the two. "

 True Americans? wrote on February 29, 2008 8:15 am:
" -Donald
& those that think like he does

“Prejudices are what fools use for reason.” "

 Patriot wrote on February 29, 2008 11:02 am:
" You liberals are why the founders didn't trust the masses to elect the president or senators. Thanks for once again proving the wisdom of the founders! "

 Ryan wrote on February 29, 2008 12:42 pm:
" Someone doesn't seem to remember how liberal the founding fathers actually were... "

 Comman Sense wrote on February 29, 2008 9:22 pm:
" It is quite evident that few here understand the true classic definition of "Liberal". Todays "Liberal" is a mutation closer to, dare I say it, a "socialist", than the classic political definitian of Liberal. The Liberal Founding Fathers would not even recognize the politics of todays "Liberal" politician. "

 WHAT?? wrote on March 1, 2008 10:44 pm:
" I am absolutely DISGUSTED that the LJS would actually put the ridiculous vitriol spewed by Mr. Hunt into its venerable pages. If I wanted to read about bigoted accounts from uninformed right-wing extremists, I would turn to an internet blog. When I read the newspaper's opinion pages, however, I expect to read thoughtful, intelligent comments, and not hateful discriminatory trash. "

 Brian T. Osborn wrote on March 1, 2008 11:38 pm:
" Mr. Hunt,
I too am a veteran, six years in the U.S. Navy. I hope I did not waste my time fighting for your "right" to be a xenophobic, rascist fool. You might stand at attention and salute our flag, but don't let yourself think for a moment that that is the true measure of a patriot. I believe showing "respect" for the flag of our nation is a choice, not a requirement, and I am a true American, by your standards, born of American parents.

In my opinion a true American will defend the rights of all, especially the weakest among us. I don't care what religion a person ascribes to, nor even if they have a religion. Every citizen of this nation has rights, inalienable rights, bestowed upon them by the Constitution which you and I both swore to uphold when we entered military service.

I will assume that you are a Christian, Mr. Hunt, and I assume that you should then know something about forgiveness. I'll ask you this, how many Americans have lost loved ones killed by Christians? I think you know that the answer is many more than have been killed by Muslims. Christ would be shamed by you. "

 sl wrote on March 5, 2008 8:03 am:
" Mr. Allen: I think that you're on to something. Take the big business away from big business might be a good thing. Hospitals and health insurance have gone private and look where it has gone? Don't be blind to the fact that business put into selfish hands only does harm. Health care is a necessity and expensive. Private companies will do anything to make a profit since that is what "private" is all about. Cut out those who are less profitable because they can't afford. I work full time but can't afford to go to the doctor or dentist. My deductibles have increased and my bills have increased. My check has not. I am not a lazy person but still can't afford new eye glasses or a trip to the dentist. Those are luxuries to me. "

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