Proof of fear tactics

The angry letter by Rita W. Jones, of Axtell, on Jan. 18, “Adios, Harry Reid,” is the sort of letter that causes me to lose faith in humanity.

Jones accuses U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of selling the American public out for pushing “Obamacare.”

The truth is that Jones has been sold a bill of goods about President Barack Obama’s health care initiative by the wealthy insurance industry that wants to continue its outrageous business practices.

We’ve all heard and seen disgusting political TV ads from professional conservative front groups, funded by the insurance industry, using fear tactics to scare people like Jones into believing that it’s OK for millions of Americans who cannot afford health insurance to go without just so long as she gets to keep her insurance.

Millions of childless Americans must “dig deep” to help fund public education with property taxes. Health care should be no different.

Should younger Americans seek to discontinue Medicare because it is an unfair tax-funded mandate that benefits the elderly?

David Orosz

Waco

Defending ‘Doc’

After reading the political and personal attack on state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson, R-Waco, by guest columnist Hal Ritter, published in the Trib on Jan. 16 [“Doesn’t seem very honest”], I felt compelled to write.

I would like to ask Ritter if he has ever even met Doc? I’m fairly certain he hasn’t, because if he had he would know in five minutes that Doc is one of the most honest men he would ever meet.

I know Doc and have had the privilege of working with him on various committees and events. He is always willing to listen and do whatever he can to help his fellow man — regardless of political affiliation.

He is not a wealthy lawyer with a thriving practice to pay his bills like some of our local politicians. He is a simple country veterinarian who spends more time working for Texans for a minuscule salary than he does running his vet business.

He’s embarrassed about his tax problems, and I know he’ll rectify it. That said, to compare Doc Anderson to gangster Al Capone or even Bill Clinton, who lied to America on TV, is nothing short of despicable.

I think Ritter owes Doc a public apology.

Jim Allmon

China Spring

1-way fare

For the life of me, I cannot figure out what the Waco Veterans Affairs Regional Office is trying to do. I’m in a therapy pool daily, and they’re paying for only one way of my travel expenses to the pool. But if I go to a doctor’s appointment, I get full round-trip travel reimbursement for traveling the same distance. Does anyone have any idea why they are discriminating against our group of veterans?

I have contacted the VA about this issue but have not received any assistance.

Hank Neigel

Hewitt

Tasteless cartoon

The Jan. 16 editorial cartoon in the Trib alluding to voodoo in Haiti was absolutely tasteless.

Katie Long

Woodway