A WORD FROM OUR READERS . . .

The House should have done smart thing

Congressman Geoff Davis voted to repeal the Health Care Law passed last year (ObamaCare). The bill H. R. 2, had the juvenile title, “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.’ The House should have done  the smart thing by debating and changing portions of the bill they did not like. Instead the House decided to eliminate all the legislation.  
The Bill that passed last year allows adult children to remain on their parents’ health insurance policy to age 26. This one reform has allowed my daughter to remain on my insurance and saves me over $2,000 per year. This may not be a significant amount of money to Geoff Davis, but it is to me.
Why would the Congressman be against such a reform? Maybe if one reads between the lines of H.R.2 the truth becomes evident. It is not about a jobs killing health care bill, it is about Congressman Davis getting re-elected. In 2009 and 2010, four of the top five donors to Congressman Davis were Humana, Omnicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and P&G. Political Action Committees (PACs) and large individual contributors accounted for 85 percent of his fundraising dollars. That sum amounts to approximately $1.4 million. I doubt the Congressman wants his insurance, health services and HMO companies to quit giving. A vote for the ObamaCare legislation would have assured that he would lose his PAC slush fund. Congressman Davis puts money first and his constituents a distant second.
I won’t dwell on the fact that the Republicans controlled the executive and legislative branches for most of the last decade and did nothing about health reform. It seems that Congressman Davis and his congressional leaders want to dwell in the past and not try to improve this country.
Oh, one last thing, Congressman Davis. Where are the jobs?
Greg Powell
Crittenden

Tucker appreciates Grant County citizens, values

Over 16 years ago, my wife and I moved to Grant County and began to minister at Sherman Baptist Church. Now, after all this time, God has chosen to move us from here to a new place of service. Before we left, I wanted to write a letter of thanks to this community. In all my years, I have never seen a place where the needs of the community are addressed by so many volunteers. I have never been in a place where churches are so free to address and aid with the community’s troubles. These days all around our nation people are creating greater and greater divides between the church and the community at large. I am proud to say Grant County is different.  
Churches are free to help students in the school system, encourage residents in nursing homes and are given great access to the hospital. Churches are ministering in the jails, distributing food and clothing and providing counseling for troubled souls. Being able to partner with our city and county officials, our schools and law enforcement officers have given my congregation a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. In addition, the cooperation between churches in this county is truly amazing. I have been in meetings with ministers from many denominations. I have shared study and devotional times with, not only Baptist brethren, but also several ministers from different denominations.
To all who have made my family’s stay here so blessed these many years, thank you. To my church who has served beside me all these years, thank you. To all the friends and “family” we have learned love, both inside and outside the church, we will miss you.  Grant County will always be in our hearts and remain in our prayers.
Brother David Tucker
Sherman Baptist Church