Beware of the threat from within
In 1948, Henry Wallace, erstwhile vice president, whom Franklin Roosevelt dumped in favor of Harry Truman, stated “the greatest threat to American freedom today comes from within our own country.”
Fortunately for America, then-President Truman commenced our defense in the Cold War by promoting the Marshall Plan for the rescue of Western Europe and resisting the blockade of Berlin by the Soviets.
Today, I hear echoes of Henry Wallace in the actions of those who would hamstring us by demanding excessive constitutional protections and civil prosecution of captured terrorists, and oppose important electronic intelligence gathering techniques, while ignoring the real threats to us from beyond our borders.
Unfortunately, thus far President Obama has acted more like Henry Wallace than Harry Truman.
ó M.B. Blankenship Jr.
Woodleaf
Whose freedom?
As a woman, I am deeply concerned about the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Proponents seem unaware of its far-reaching consequences. Because this law will force conscientious objectors to perform/participate in abortions or lose their jobs, many doctors and nurses will relocate to other areas within the health field, rather than be faced with that dilemma. Religious hospitals will become specialized in other areas of healthcare, such as pediatrics and cancer treatment centers and will probably eliminate any OB/GYN care, so that they can keep their tax-exempt status. The end result is a devastating loss of healthcare to American women, many of whom will be poor and needy.
While it’s hard to believe, FOCA eliminates all health/safety laws regarding abortion; abortion will be the only procedure that will be immune to malpractice/wrongful death lawsuits. So, there will be no recourse for those who are victimized by unscrupulous doctors. Ironically, women will pay dearly for FOCA.
As an aunt, I’m also concerned that FOCA will nullify parental consent laws, meaning that a 12-year-old could get an abortion without her parents’ knowledge or approval, with cooperation from teachers, counselors, etc. This will cause a mass exodus from the American school system because many parents will no longer trust it with the welfare of their kids. If parental consent is erased, homeschooling will become the norm, not the exception.
Most people don’t realize that FOCA will strip away any and all restrictions (even reasonable ones) to abortion, nullifying 550 federal and state laws, completely deregulating this procedure.
The consequences mentioned are simply logical reactions to this law. Ninety-two percent of Americans support common-sense restrictions on abortion. This is one time when we should not remain silent.
ó Kelly Stuard-Will
Salisbury
Homeless veterans
More than 400,000 U.S. veterans experience homelessness over the course of a year, according to the Veterans Administration. Many of those served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It saddens me to know that my country has allowed our soldiers to come to this. To think of how our troops have served our country, it is devastating to know that they return and end up on the street, where they are more susceptible to becoming victims of physical or sexual abuse. The government needs to take more interest in veterans and make sure they are taken care of financially, emotionally and mentally.
It is a disgrace to know that these men and woman have volunteered their lives and no one is giving anything back to them.
ó Schtrail Wynn
Greensboro
Adequate care
The same way we fight for equal rights, better education and job opportunities, we must fight for adequate health care. We need to remove all gender, racial, social and economic barriers that keep people in our society from having sufficient health care.
In our society, it’s hard for most people to obtain medical care. The poor and minority groups have higher rates of illnesses and shorter life expectancy because they can’t afford the high cost of health services.
The primary problem with our health care system is that we don’t focus on restoring and maintaining health, but on making a profit. Staying healthy means going for your annual physical, taking trips to the dentist, optometrist and making visits to the other specialists that you may need.
Health care should be a right, not a privilege. This is a serious problem in America.
ó Shedrick Washington
Greensboro