LETTER: Obama has failed to deliver

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Thursday, November 4. 2010

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Dear Editor:

An open letter to the President of the United States: I have refrained from writing any political opinion letter for nearly two years. I was trying to give you, our president and your congress, the opportunity to right the ship and prove your message of “positive” change.

Unfortunately you have failed miserably. I have many liberal friends that supported you and your agenda, and I have debated with them over the past several months trying to give them room to prove to me your worthiness to uphold the greatest office in our land and quite honestly in our world.

The best I could get was an article telling about how you, Mr. President, have not been given the credit where due in saving a town in Michigan by propping up the auto industry and as stated by my friend “cutting our taxes.” But the article plainly stated the only cuts were to “withholding” from the payroll. My friend with a Ph.D. could not figure out that meant we will still pay the taxes only later.

The last brick fell this week, after enduring reductions in income over the past two plus years and cutting our budget consistently, we get the notice our health insurance rates will rise next year and there will be no PPO. That means no “Preferred Physician Option.”

Mr. President, you lied. Also, we were told flexible spending accounts for health related items, doctors, and dentists will end at the end of 2011. That amounts to a tax increase in my home and another reduction in income. Mr. President, you lied to my friends, you lied to the American people and now you will not own up to the lies.

Mr. President, you were described as a one that would unite our country and bring racial harmony. Instead, I feel there has been more racial division, and this is your most telling legacy. You had such promise, but you have squandered it.

After your election, I made a concentrated effort to give you more than enough time to right the ship. As captain you chose to flood the ship, so you must now sink with it. You have failed to fulfill the promises you made. I for one am profoundly perplexed and disappointed.

If nothing changes soon, your presidency will be seen as one of the worst in American history. As the first African-American President, that is sorely disappointing. I pray God’s conscience will begin to penetrate your heart and help you to right the wrongs and heal our nation.

With great regret.

Sincerely,

Rev. Eric Jones

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#1 JC on 11/04/10 at 10:22 PM [Reply]

Rev. Jones, as a result of the new Health Care law, in addition to numerous other improvements, many more of our poorest, disabled citizens will be eligible for Medicaid where before we, meaning our society and that includes you Rev. Jones, were content to let these people suffer and die needlessly. As a reverend, you should be thanking our President who only did exactly what he promised in his campaign, our Congressional representatives and Senators who had the courage to vote for the Health Care Act, and God for these blessings resulting in so many more of your weakest, disabled brothers and sisters to FINALLY have some access to health care, medicine and doctors.

Instead of being thankful for these improvements and access to medical care for the very weakest among us, what message do you have to deliver, Rev. Jones? Only complaints about your personal finances and personal income. Christ threw similar men out of the temple. Today so many of the temples and churches seem only to exist to harbor such selfish men and women.

Good day, "Reverend."

#1.1 Pastor John on 11/06/10 at 01:04 PM [Reply]

Thank you JC for providing the true Christian perspective. Health care reform was long overdue, and these changes are already helping as the reforms are gradually put in place. Just the other day a new part of the law went into effect that prevents insurers from denying coverage to or overcharging those with pre-existing conditions who up until now could not get coverage and were left to die. How anyone can be opposed to these changes is beyond me, but I know you cannot be opposed to this extension of health care to the most needy and still call yourself a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Thank God for this health reform that is already saving lives. Much is left to be done, and all the reforms will not be in place until 2014, but thank God for these changes. For those it is helping who had no way to get treatment and faced a future of poverty, indigency, and finally a premature death, it is almost a miracle. I thank God we have a President who, in the face of such hate, had the will power to make changes to help the sick, the needy, the weak, and the dying.

Politically I consider myself a conservative, but health care reform is not a liberal or conservative or political issue. I have seen too many arrive at our church desperately seeking a blessing before death because a preventable early death is what they faced after they had exhausted every way and means of seeking treatment for their illness.

Much remains to be done, and everything is not solved by passing laws. As we see in Mr. Jones' letter, there are many among us, even in the church, disguised in cloaks of religion and righteousness, who are more concerned with their personal fortunes, income, and politics than they are concerned with following a Christian, or even a humane, path, or in following the teachings of Christ. I know atheists who are more caring, loving and understanding of the great threats facing our sick and needy than many of those who show up to church and carry the title of "Christian" like a shining gold medallion, when they should carry it like a damp cloth meant to mop the brow and give the sickest a brief moment of respite; with humbleness, humility and responsibility.

#1.1.1 Sardonic Veracity on 11/06/10 at 03:47 PM [Reply]

It disturbs me that you praise the surrender of and want to surrender the opportunity for providing Christian charity to the national government. The verse, paraphrased, cautions us to render unto the government that which is in the realm of government. It does not tell us to give over everything... especially what is God's. Perhaps the reforms should be made in religious circles. Could or should not large organizations, such as the SBC for example, provide hospitals and care for the indigent among us?

I am sure that you would be hard pressed to find many people who would not agree that reforms have been needed in the health care industry. However, many would argue that one omnibus bill that was voted upon without care or concern by our elected representatives was not the way to go about these reforms. The outcry in this nation is not about a lack of willingness to help our own neighbors. Those who spin their views in that direction are simply seeking to obscure the simple truth.

Fortunately, this president's style of leadership will not be in an encourging climate for the next two years. He and his handlers will not be able to ram through legislative initiatives without a care to the concerns of others. He will be forced to pretend to consider contradictory views and ideas. He will not again have the votes in legislature to practice the tyranny of the majority.

Two years of nothing is better than two years of abuse of power.

#1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 11/06/10 at 06:46 PM [Reply]

Well, "christian charity" hasn't been providing health care to these tens of millions of people dying while all these "christians" drive their giant SUV's and live it up like jesus never imagined, so he is right. We should be thankful to God that someone finally ran for office and did what he campaigned on. It isn't the christian ideal of social medicine, but the improvements in health care reform were loooooong overdue.

#1.1.2 Ben Had on 11/07/10 at 07:01 AM [Reply]

This man is a real Christian. Rev. Jones should get a job and start attending his Church.
Thank you for your response, Pastor John.

#1.1.2.1 Sardonic Veracity on 11/07/10 at 12:11 PM [Reply]

Congratulationss, "Pastor John," the resident athiest has proclaimed you to be a "true Christian."

Your cardinal's hat will be arriving shortly, I'm sure.

#2 Ben Had on 11/05/10 at 06:05 AM [Reply]

I sure hope the good Rev. took time to write a letter to the editor during the Bush presidency. You know, about lying and such.

"reductions in income",and ""our health insurance rates will rise next year".
Sounds like the Rev. is retired and living on Socialist programs.
If not, just pass the plate around one more time.
How many Black folks attended your church,Rev?

#3 kem on 11/05/10 at 04:33 PM [Reply]

Replying to both Ben Had and JC-you are both uninformed and blinded by the lamestream media. Turn on some unbiased news and listen to the truth for a change.. Good letter, Reverend

#3.1 Ben Had on 11/06/10 at 07:32 AM [Reply]

Here's your problem,kem;you think that everyone needs to watch the "news" to form an opinion.
You've got a long way to go.

My opinion comes from my 401k statement, my worthless stock portfolio, and the several hundred thousand dollars that I have lost in the Real Estate market.
You get your opinions from Fox News. What a joke!

#3.1.1 Sardonic Veracity on 11/06/10 at 11:09 AM [Reply]

You've, honestly, beaten that Fox News drum to death.

#3.1.1.1 Ben Had on 11/07/10 at 06:55 AM [Reply]

Did you read the post? "Both uninformed and blinded by the lamestream media"?
I would bet every penny I have that this person gets their opinions from Fox News, just like you do. And, believe me guy, the drum beating will continue.

This "preacher" needs a good east/west slap across the face. Might just save him from a toasty here after.

#3.1.1.1.1 SardonicVeracity on 11/08/10 at 11:38 AM [Reply]

I read, mostly the Madison County Journal online edition. I don't do a whole lot of news gathering from the television. There is way too much other good mindsuck stuff there.

You really do beat that Fox News strawman to death, though. I got that opinion where I get all of mine. As opinionated as I am, I can't believe that you would blame it on Fox News. (LoL)

#3.2 E.J. on 11/06/10 at 03:33 PM [Reply]

Here's an interesting source of 'unbiased' news: try listening exclusivly for at least one week to The BBC (that's the American bureau of The British Broadcasting Corporation) on National Public Radio at WUGA at 91.7 (7 p.m. weekdays). They talk a lot about their own challenges with healthcare as well as their take on our debate. Healthcare is a world wide problem, you know. Same goes for recession woes world wide.

This taking sides (liberal vs. conservative) and playing war games, not to win, but to destroy the opposition, instead of coming together to forge real solutions has disgusted and dismayed me for a long time now. At least President Obama has addressed some problems that no one else seemed willing to do.

#4 citizen on 11/07/10 at 06:58 AM [Reply]

What I dont understand is: you cross the border illegally in China you are never seen again and you rot in prison. Cross the Russian border illegally and you are shot on site. Cross any other countries borders illegally and you are detained for months, tortued, and declared a spy. Cross the American border and we give you food stamps, a social security card, free medical care, tax exempt status and a drivers license. I have to learn Spanish just so I can order a hamburger at McDonalds. Mr. Obama stop taking trips, wasting money on designer dresses for your wife and secure the American borders. Even a flunky can build a tall electric fence with snipers on top and let them pretend they are hunting for aliens.

#4.1 Immigration Law on 11/07/10 at 08:36 PM [Reply]

You repeat some ignorant statements you have heard somewhere, but you cannot back them up because they simply are not true.

If you are in the United States illegally:

- You are ineligible for food stamps. Go ahead and present yourself as an illegal and try. You WILL BE DENIED.
- You sure as heck aren't given a Social Security Card or Number. To even apply for one means you will likely be summoned to an appointment where you will be detained and deported!
- You don't get any free medical care. You are ineligible for Medicaid, Medicare or any other program and YOU WILL BE DENIED. If a doctor chooses to treat you for free, well, that is his choice. He doesn't get magic money for giving you charity.
- Most difficult of all, you absolutely cannot and will not get a drivers license. Go ahead and try. Go down to the State Patrol, they will ask for your green card or visa. If you don't have a green card, forget it. If you have a visa AND a valid driver's license from your home country, you can be issued a license that expires the day your visa expires. By the way, if you have a visa, you are not here illegally, you are a legal visitor.
- You sure as heck aren't given "tax exempt status" whatever you think that means. On the contrary, if you do happen to be an illegal immigrant operating here under a STOLEN Social Security number, these illegal immigrants have all the taxes withheld from their check, but THEY ARE INELIGIBLE FOR ANY OF THE BENEFITS. So they are actually PAYING MUCH MORE TAXES than legal workers and can never claim the benefits or get a tax refund like the legal workers!

Stop repeating rumors. You only embarrass yourself with your display of ignorance of immigration. You don't have a CLUE what you are talking about and it is all too obvious.

#4.1.1 E.J. on 11/08/10 at 09:18 AM [Reply]

Thanks! You saved me the trouble of a response to this ignorance.

#4.1.2 Anonymous on 11/10/10 at 08:43 AM [Reply]

So you think so Mr._____, I work in the health care industry and on a daily basis I take care of illegals with drivers licenses. I've seen them. They give fake names to the hospitals to get free medical care. Hell, they use so many different alias that their visitors don't even know what name to ask for. If a illegal mother gives birth to a child in the USA the child is automatically eligible for medicaid and all the US benefits including food stamps. I've witnessed social workers help them fill out the medicaid paper work. So don't tell me I'm ignorant. Illegals work in plants and other areas of employment without any form of US ID's. Scream "Immmigration workers are coming" in any poultry plant and watch the employees run out of the door. You can get telephone service without any form of ID from many places. They advertise on television all the time. Fake social security numbers are sold on the border, if you don't believe me ask around. Seems to me you know alot about what is suppose to happen but not a darn thing about what is truly happening. I'm not talking about the people who truly hold visas. I'm talking about the fence climbers and the river waders. Obama hasn't done anything to secure our borders and that is a fact.

#5 Sky Pilot on 11/08/10 at 07:35 PM [Reply]

Sometimes you have to read between the lines to understand the true motive of ones political standing.I would ask all people of reason to look up the definition of Liberalism and not assume that you know what a true liberal stands for or believes. I would also ask you to ask yourself the question as to why people of Georgia vote for Republicans at about a two thirds margin. Research the 1948 presidential election between Dewey, Truman and Thurmond. Truman at mayor Hubert Humphrey's urging allowed a civil rights platform to be incorporated by the Democrats. The audacity of a party desiring to offer civil rights to blacks who just returned from defending our great democracy. It was just to much for our racist south. Throw in the Democratic President Johnson's voters right bill, again the audacity to let a black man vote. Our blantant racisim has allowed us in Georgia to vote against our economic interest for several decades. The people that are pulling your strings know you and know how to control your votes, believe me, they certainly have but one agenda and that is to be in control of the power and wealth of this country. One of the groups on Hitler's hate list were liberals. I heard a Klan member say once that he hates a paticular race because they breath. I am proud to be a liberal. I certainly do not want or solict validation from a pious bigot. I do not need to wrap the flag or cross around what is right. The truth and what is right will stand on its own merits.

#5.1 Ben Had on 11/09/10 at 01:14 PM [Reply]

Thank you for your sane input,and historical references.

I have a hard time understanding how so many people that proclaim to be religious, can be so racist. Preachers included.
The Bible Belt should be called the Hate Belt.

If atheist go to Hell when they die, where do all the Racist Christians go? I hope it's somewhere else. I would rather burn alone.

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