Published: June 29, 2009 06:40 pm      

In Your View — 06/30/09

Cap-and-trade bill will cost consumers

Shame on Kentucky Congressmen Ben Chandler and John Yarmuth for voting “Yes” on President Obama’s cap and trade bill last Friday. Estimates on what it will cost consumers vary from $125 per year (CBO) to $3,128.00 per year (M.I.T.). The cost is probably somewhere in between these figures.

The 1,200 page bill was presented to Congress one day before the vote and 300 pages were added at 3 a.m. the night before. How many more times will we allow our representatives to vote on legislation without reading it? Can anyone read and understand 1,500 pages in one day, or in just a few hours?

A copy of the final bill was not even in the House chamber on the day of the vote until Congressman John Boehner demanded one. This is the failed stimulus bill all over again. What happened to transparency?

President Obama’s actual words were: “Under my cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” If you doubt this, verify it on YouTube. Shame on Congress and shame on the president!

Without affordable, abundant, reliable energy our industries and economy cannot compete globally. China, Russia and India are not going to constrain their growth with any “cap and trade” bill, and the U.S. will thus be at a severe disadvantage.

When our country and state loses more jobs and our electricity bills increase in the near future — assuming we don't have rolling blackouts — let’s send a big “Thank you” to Congressmen Chandler and Yarmuth and President Obama.

Mike Arrington. Ashland

Public option must be part of plan

Health care is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It’s unacceptable that nearly 50 million Americans are living without health care insurance. Currently, the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress are crafting complex health care reform legislation that seeks to expand health care coverage to all Americans.

However, it’s critical that we not sacrifice the fundamental pillars of a sound health care policy for expediency’s sake. Republicans — and some Democrats — have vowed that they will not support any plan that includes a public option. But they ignore the fact that without a public option, the health care reform efforts would have little effect on the significant problems existing in the system today.

No one in this debate is calling for a “government run” health care system or doing away with private insurers — as the buzz words used by those who oppose reform would lead you to believe. The public option would merely open the health plans — offered by private insurance companies — currently available to federal employees to all Americans. If you are pleased with your current coverage, you can keep it. If you prefer one of the publicly available plans, you can purchase it instead.

The public option expands choice and in so doing expands the availability of coverage. The only way to lower health care costs is to expand the number of people who are actually covered. The average American is already paying a hidden $1,000 tax on premiums to cover the cost of the uninsured. By mandating coverage, we can increase competition within the system and in turn lower costs across the board.

The only way to accomplish this necessary and important goal is a public option — which is why it must be included in any of the upcoming reform efforts.

Tyler Murphy, Flatwoods

No help offered for flood victims

I live on Turley Avenue in Flatwoods. Our home was recently flooded as well as the homes of many others. My neighbor, who has lived here for 60 years, lost everything.

No one will help her. We have called the mayor and nothing has been done. The road in front of our house is in shambles. Creeks are filled with debris.

It will happen again if they don’t clean out the creeks. That is all they have to do. It would take two days at most. The asphalt that came off the roads has been pushed into the creeks. Does anyone have a solution?

Kim McGinnis, Flatwoods

We must continue Craft’s legacy

This is in reference to Bruce Craft, long-time Ashland parks and recreation director, As former Ashland mayor Steve Gilmore so aptly stated, life is short at it’s longest, and we mortals live “but a. wisp or a twinkle of an eye.”

There just doesn't seem to be an appropriate word which would capture our true inner gratitude for fellowship with other humans allowed during our earthly walk. I am proud and appreciative God allowed us the many wonderful experiences shared and the numerous co-workers, volunteers and loved ones who shared the good times.

Bruce was so dedicated to Central Park and protecting its natural aesthetics. It is only fitting that in Bruce’s honor that each of those who he knew so well continue his legacy of love for the most acclaimed city park in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. May the beechnut tree planted in his honor and his two decades worth of solid dedication provide our children and grandchildren a safe haven in which to play and to simply enjoy the beauty of God's natural creations. God Bless, Bruce Craft, my friend.

Duke Sheridan, Paintsville

Class of ’57 plans dinner and movie

Classmates and friends of the Ashland High School class of 1957 are invited to a dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, at J & J Restaurant followed by a movie at the Paramount Arts Center.

The movie is free to the public and features Ashland’s Central Park during the 1950s, including local figures who coached and played ball here.

Reservations for dinner are needed by Aug. 20 and can be made at nannyhaney@yahoo.com or by calling (606) 325-1945. All the information can be found on the class of 1957 Web site: www.ashland57.myevent.com.

Madge Maupin Haney, Ashland