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Guest Columns
Guest Columns
Something’s Been Missing in the Health Care
Debate
By Herb Hash Jr.
Along with many other folks in WataugaCounty, I’ve been
thinking a lot about health care reform now being discussed and argued in
Congress. And I am disturbed because I believe that something of great
importance is either being left out or pushed to the sidelines -- the
Jewish/Christian values which have had so much influence on our nation since
its inception. I am referring to biblical values such as the love of God and
neighbor as highlighted in both the Hebrew Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:5 and
Leviticus 19:18) and the New Testament (Mark 12:29-31).
Make Sure Americans Have Real Choice in Healthcare
By Marsha Walpole
Like many of you, I’ve been watching the health-care debate
very carefully. I’ve either been self-employed or worked for other people’s
small businesses for most of my adult life, and I’ve seen first-hand what a
huge struggle small businesses and individuals have paying insurance premiums.
For many years, my own business paid more in health insurance premiums than we
did to rent our storefront. In fact, for many businesses, health insurance is
the single largest non-salary expense they have.
We thank Representative Foxx for coming clean (guest editorial, Winston-Salem Journal, 19 Aug. 2009) and admitting
that what she said in the past about the proposed health care reform plans was
not true. We are glad Ms. Foxx is now willing to confess that the health care
plans currently being considered do not pay for abortions or euthanasia and are
not plots to put seniors to death.
Janet works full time and has employer-sponsored health-care
insurance. When her son was diagnosed a year ago with leukemia, she figured the
last thing she had to worry about was paying his costs, but she soon found out
her insurance benefits were capped at $1 million. The cost of her son’s care
reached that figure in less than one year. The family has now drained its
savings and is filing for bankruptcy.
Read the latest in the Watauga County political BLOG maintained by J.W. Williamson.
WataugaDems News
News
Democrats
Pitch in to Help the Watauga Community
12/20/09
Whether it’s driving
a weekly Meals on Wheels route, or providing a monthly dinner at the local
homeless shelter, or helping out with Habitat for Humanity and the Hunger
Coalition, the Watauga County Democratic Party has a tradition of volunteerism.
The Movement to “Draft Billy Kennedy” for Congress
12/18/09
Old-school politics usually involved lots of backroom maneuvering
of candidates, with a small party core deciding which candidates to put forth
in coming elections.
That grooming process has been tossed out like punch-card ballots and
train-whistle stops by Democrats who are lining up behind their favored
candidate to take on incumbent Republican Virginia Foxx for the Fifth District
U.S. Congressional seat next year.
A public campaign is underway called "Draft Billy Kennedy," with
party faithful hoping to gently pressure Kennedy into entering the race. What
makes the draft attempt different is that the momentum is gathering in the
virtual world, driven by a younger pool of voters.
Char Restaurant (179 Howard St., Boone), 6:30 p.m., annual Winter
Mixer for state-wide YDs and others. For additional info, stay
tuned to Watauga County Young Democrats on Facebook, or contact
club President Jeanie Futrelle: jeaniejf@hotmail.com
11 January 2010 Young Democrats of Watauga County
Meets at 5:30 p.m., Galileo's (1087 W. King St., Boone), for a
program on electoral prospects in 2010. Guest Speaker: Boone Town
Councilman Andy Ball. Open to
everyone. For
more information, contact club President Jeanie Futrelle:
jeaniejf@hotmail.com
12 January 2010 Democratic Executive Committee Meeting
Meets at 7 p.m., in the Boone Town Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road. Open to all members of the "Democratic family"
27 January 2010 Democratic Women's Club Luncheon
Meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center for
dutch-treat luncheon. Speaker at noon. This month: "Electoral Prospects
in 2010," with Watauga Co. Democratic Party Chair Diane Tilson and
Boone Town Councilman Andy Ball. For
more information, contact Ann Pace: paceaj@umkc.edu
8 February 2010 Filing Period for Public Office, 2010
Filing period to get on the Nov. 2010 ballot opens today state-wide. Filing period ends February 26
9 February 2010 Democratic Executive Committee Meeting
Meets at 7 p.m., in the Boone Town Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road. Open to all members of the "Democratic family"
24 February 2010 Democratic Women's Club Luncheon
Meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center for
dutch-treat luncheon. Speaker at noon. For
more information, contact Ann Pace: paceaj@umkc.edu
