LETTERS
To the Editor:

Although it is admirable to explore alternatives to employer based Healthcare, Senator Pearson outlines plans (Sentinel Republican column October 12) that only benefit the insurance companies, not the uninsured middle class family.

In order for the self-employed to obtain coverage, they often must prove that they do not need it! Applicants are often rejected or quoted outrageous premiums (upwards of $1000 a month) under the current system. In one case, a mother is rejected because she has had three biopsies which were determined to be non-malignant, benign, breast tumors. She has been screened regularly, followed the best medical advice and yet pays a huge penalty or goes uninsured, not for risky medical history, but for good prevention practices. The insurance company (Mega) only allows two biopsies to be on her record in order to provide insurance to her. Who decides that? Certainly not a medical professional.

Healthcare savings accounts for struggling self-employed families require unrealistic amounts of savings to be put away, in addition to the premiums for the pitifully inadequate insurance that is offered. "Personal" doctor clinics for basic care would be a joke for the family who has a child with severe asthma whose condition usually results in higher premiums in today's climate. Until the insurance industry puts patients above profits (ever notice those fancy corporate buildings with art collections?), I will not swallow Senator Pearson's empty words. Isn't it ironic that Republican politicians who constantly resist government involvement in Healthcare are allowed to use their government bully pulpit to sell private insurance programs? I suspect some are covered under the State Benefits plan.

"Georgia Health Marketplace on the Internet" and "choice and flexibility" as stated by Sen. Pearson are merely slogans designed to make the special interests richer and the health of our families poorer.

Beverly Barton

Dahlonega

To the Editor:

What is going on here? Our leader formed a cooperation to circumvent our laws? How can that be possible? How come no one picked up on this underhanded move? Why did he wait till now to casually mention it? Our legislature forms laws to protect the public from over spending leaders and his very first month in office Lamar beats us out of our right to have a vote on whether we want almost a million dollars spent on a piece of property. It is immaterial if he thought we needed this property. Even the fact that he says it was a good buy has nothing to do with it. What is important is that we are denied our right to go to the polls and voice our opinion! If it had been done the right way, who knows if it would have passed. We will never know if we could have saved enough through bond sales to cover the expense of adding it to a ballot. What tremendous expense is he talking about? It doesn't have to be in a special election. If one can just form a cooperation to override the laws that our elected legislature have worked hard to perfect, we are really in trouble. Something stinks here.

James L. (Sonny) Boyer

To the Editor:

A Letter of Appreciation

On behalf of the members of North Georgia Rapids Swim Team, I would like to express our appreciation to Dr. Kevin Davis of "Women's Health of Blairsville". Dr. Davis provided the team with professional, athletic travel bags and team towels. These great looking additions were much needed and will be used with pride to showcase our team spirit at future swim meets. Dr. Davis and his wife, Mary, have two daughters, Maggie and Macey, both of whom are team members. Macey recently joined and is the team's youngest competitive swimmer at age five.

The team would also like to thank the "Blue Ridge Mountain Fitness Club" and its staff for enabling our team to train at this excellent facility. The team practices year round and currently has approximately fifteen active members. Thanks again for making our team a success!

Coach Barry Gay

North Georgia Rapids Swim Team

To the Editor:

INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY TOLL ROAD

Back in October of 1998 President Clinton signed the "Internet Tax Freedom Act" which bars the feds, as well as state and local governments, from taxing internet access and from imposing discriminatory internet-only taxes. It was a temporary prohibition, has been extended twice, and is once again, up for renewal. Last week the US House of Representatives voted to continue the moratorium and if the Senate and the President fall in line as expected, we will have another four years of tax free internet access. Hoorah. But - before we rush to thank our legislators for this act of kindness, we need to understand that "no tax for the next four years" is not the only option possible. The most attractive option is "no tax, ever!" That is the wish of a bipartisan majority of the House who favor making the moratorium permanent, but it is an option which was thwarted by the House Speaker when she employed a procedural move insuring that the permanent tax ban could not be considered. Look for a similar move in the Senate, despite an effort by "no tax, ever" Senators to push for a permanent extension of the moratorium. Commenting on the four year moratorium, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated, "[It] will help promote innovation, affordable internet access, and broadband services for American consumers and businesses. Americans must not face a toll road when they get on the information superhighway." Indeed Madam Speaker, and this will still be true in 4, 8, or 12 more years, which is exactly why we need a permanent moratorium.

Cordially, Chuck Esposito

Suches, Ga.