Published: September 15, 2009 07:59 am      

Letters to the Editor: September 15, 2009

Column brought back fond memories

A sincere thank you to Mark Simonson for the tribute to Andy Kerr in his Sept. 5-6 column ("College football innovator influenced Oneonta").

My father, Walter Terry, was co-captain of the famous 1932 Colgate team ("undefeated, untied and unscored upon ... and uninvited"). I grew up hearing the tales of that team and the praises of Andy Kerr. It was a great privilege to meet the coach on several of my trips to Colgate with my dad. Andy Kerr was not only a great innovator in college football, but he was also a great leader to the young men in his charge. He certainly had a positive influence on the life of my dad.

Thank you again for an uplifting column.

Walter L. Terry III

Oneonta

Insurance companies are the problem

I am a 64-year-old grandmother of four who is in support of the public option to reform our broken health care system.

I have worked in human services for many years and seen countless people suffering from lack of affordable health care. Those who do have coverage through their employment, are subject to the greed of health insurance companies who routinely reject claims for medical procedures, increase rates and refuse to provide coverage to people when they need it the most.

Moreover, they deny coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.

Wake up, America! It's the insurance companies that are getting in the way between you and your doctor!

Think about what is being proposed through the public option. Because it's an option you alone choose!

A recent study shows that one-half of the people filing bankruptcy do so as a result from expenses associated with a catastrophic illness. The same study also shows that more than 75 percent of those who ended up bankrupt were typical middle-class Americans who had health insurance through their employers.

I've always tried to vote my conscience and keep an open mind regardless of party affiliation, but recently I lost respect for leaders in the Republican Party.

It is despicable to see them continue to manipulate the airwaves with deliberate lies and distortions for selfish political gains, while neglecting the needs of the public.

Please study this important issue. Understand that it's about your life your health, your choice. Get the real facts, not the doctored-up lies cooked up by conservative groups.

Understand the possibility that one day you or your loved ones may be struck by a serious illness. What if you lost your coverage? What would be your options if nothing gets done?

This is a moral issue, people.

J. Roberts

Oneonta