Bipartisan solution

Mr. Jack Bernard of Jasper County, Ga., wrote a special essay to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer published Sunday, July 17. The headline read “Medicare expansion versus same worn-out platitudes.”

This is simply common sense. I believe Senator Sanders is absolutely correct when he says every citizen of the United States, as a matter of right, should be entitled to healthcare. Until a program such as this is adopted, insurance companies, drug companies, and other healthcare providers, whose main concern is the bottom line -- means bucks for CEOs and large incomes to employees which adds up to high premiums and higher deductibles that put healthcare beyond the reach of millions, there will be no relief.

As a former member of the Columbus Consolidated Government council, a former member of the Georgia Legislature and a lifetime member of the Muscogee County Democratic Party, I wholeheartedly believe that the Republican Mr. Jack Bernard is correct. Let us forget party lines and get something done.

Feel our pain

Has anyone noticed that when we approach a point when the debt ceiling must be raised, our government-hired representatives in Congress and the White House always threaten to not guarantee Social Security payments, or Medicare, or military pay? Why is it never that they threaten to not guarantee Congress’s payment, or their staffs’, or the president’s?

Instead, let’s hold the paychecks of the House of Representatives and the Senate next time they threaten to withhold any payment.

If you agree, then let your representatives know how you feel about this. Pass the word.

Trump refreshing

Kathleen Parker's column entitled "The Spell of Herr Trumpf" gives Donald Trump far too much credit for the public outrage toward Hillary Clinton. She herself is entirely to blame — her lies, greed, dangerous deals, and cover-ups have inspired that. The arrogance she has continuously displayed in the Benghazi deaths is definitely not a desirable quality for a leader.

Long before Donald Trump announced his candidacy, Hillary's flagrant disregard for honesty and national security, along with her disdain for the rule of law, won my disapproval.

For too many years, Hillary and many of the other Washington leaders — while becoming increasingly wealthy and drunk on power — have turned a deaf ear to the American people. I, along with many other American citizens, have had enough! After being ignored by career politicians, I find Donald Trump to be a breath of fresh air. Of course, he's not perfect, but he gets it! He understands how average citizens feel. For the first time since Ronald Reagan was president, I have hope for our country. As a Christ follower, I know the ultimate outcome is in the hands of God. He alone is the only One who can heal our land, and my prayer is that He will do so.

Parker's comparison of Trump to Hitler is repulsive in every way!

Fitting tribute

The Citizen article July 7, by Mark Clark, should be read by the residents of Phenix City. The article is titled “Harvey Glance Will Play a Role at the 2016 Olympics.”

My daughter was a 1975 graduate of Central, where Harvey Glance and Mark Clark were graduates. I am sentimental to that class and feel as Mark Clark does that we need a permanent honor for Harvey Glance, the “fasted man in the world” at the 1976 Olympics. It has been 40 years, but it is not too late.

Choice of values

Pubilius Syrus, a Roman poet, averred in 85 BC, "We are interest in others when they are interested in us." This symbolizes the difference between the two presidential nominees Donald J, Trump and Hilary Clinton.

The recent leaks, that the DNC rigged the primary Democratic election reflects Mr. Trump's prescience — "poor Bernie never had a chance." This is the main reason Bernie had a joyless Appomattox. To add insult to injury, the DNC is fighting to be sure that the donor list to the Democratic Party is not released till after the convention. We all know who they are — the big banks, big corporations, Wall Street and donors to the Clinton Foundation. Clinical evidence that Mrs. Clinton is a "bought woman" in contrast to Mr. Trump who is "beholden to no one."

At the DNC convention the mother of Michael Brown, shot by a policeman in Baltimore, will speak. Recall that the policeman who shot Michael Brown was cleared by the Obama Justice Department. Not speaking at the convention are the mothers or wives of the five Dallas policeman shot protecting the Black Lives Matter Protesters. Have we not had enough of racial divisiveness?

Judeo-Christian values have been replaced by a liberal progressive secular culture. Fifty years ago Time magazine's front cover had no picture, rather the words "Is God Dead." Faith in God is no longer the norm, but the unwelcomed exception. The only way out from under our present authoritarian oppression is to come under God's authority and His second greatest commandment — "love one another."

Our first president asserted: “The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained."

Quo Vadis — Where are you going?

This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Bipartisan solution."