Being the fact that I am the odd combination of conservative and Social Security Disability recipient (SSDI), my observations on the Obamacare bill are a little different.

I am totally dependent on the government for my survival, not to mention my wife, who is also a SSDI recipient. Mine is due to Multiple Sclerosis and hers a combination of Meniere's Disease and Fibromyalgia.

I am an avid listener of Neal Boortz, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Fred Thompson, with a smattering of Monica Crowley mixed in. I am almost addicted to Fox News, knowing that I can believe what they say. Nothing can be more obvious because I make it a point to watch one of the major networks each evening during their nightly broadcast. By keeping them accountable, the bias and love affair they have for Barrack Obama is very obvious. Sometimes it is unbelievable the stark differences that appears.

I have two trains of thought on the health care bill. 1, the provisions and vague wording they have written can be interpreted in many ways, which is really scary. You read the wording one way, and it is all good, If you read it from a controlling standpoint, the American public will become pawns, their lives and existence based on their age. Are they worth being saved, etc.

The second thought I have is this is all a cover. Bring the full attention of the American People to something they will be consumed with, and underneath, pass all the legislation you want, changing everything. Then, without a fight, the Obamaites have slipped you a mickey and you liked it.

I have had critics read my opinions and critize me for being on SSDI and having enough sense to take note and voice an opinion. They have said that they resent the fact I am on SSDI and have the gall to speak out against the very government that supports me. I did not ask to be in the position I am in. I do have cognitive problems at times, but I have a right to a voice and a right to speak for myself.

A 1,300 and growing page bill, with every commitee and his dog adding their goodies, has no end. I am concerned naturally about what cuts Medicare will face. For instance, I have to have an MRI every 3-4 years to compare disease progression in my brain. I recently had one and am very proud to announce that thanks to Betaseron (which I qualify as a hardship case on), has kept me from having progression in the disease. They cannot undo the damage that has been done, nor can they prevent the worsening of my symptoms, but these people are angels. Betaseron runs between $1,800 and $2,200 per month. When I saw my co-pay under Medicare D, it was going to exceed $500 per month. I contacted Bayer/Betaseron and they did not bat an eye, $75 for a three-months supply. They have saved ny life.

I want to know, not it lawyer language, what is the plan for Medicare A, B and D. If they choose to cut our benefit and increase co-pays, we are thrown to the wolves.

My doctor, who is hell on wheels, urged me to write everybody, stop the insanity. He has a max percentage of 30% Medicare. He looked me in the eye and told me, "I don't make money seeing you. I do it to help you." He makes his money on private insurance clients, period. He knew a female doctor who allowed her Medicare to go to 50%. She is no longer in practice.

He told me to stay in practice he may have to go to a retainer, like an attorney. He threw a number up like $2,500 that we would have to pay to keep him as our doctor. I will find a way if needed, I don't know how, but I can't be without a doctor.

There is much in this bill we don't know and, considering its "urgency," that scares me to death. Obama has already rammed down bills, saying the world was going to end unless we act mow. We cannot believe this man any longer. He is as slick as they come. He has hidden agendas, I know it. I don't believe there is an honest bone in his body.

Mitchell Thurmer
Signal Mountain
mthurmer4300@comcast.net

* * *

If my government is going to insist on providing government subsidized health care plan I suggest they look no farther then the plan the senators of the United States utilize.
I am sure the system is effective and cost efficient or the senators would be working hard to revise their own health care program instead of mine.

Provide all of us with the senators plan or put them all on Obama's plan. Seems like a reasonable deal to me.

Tony Jetton
Bakewell TN

* * *

Before changing anything, the health care programs we have need to be fixed. Taking money /cutting budgets of other programs to fund Obama Care is not the answer.

Social Security recipients will not receive a cost of living raise for the next three years, plus, Medicare co-pays and premium costs continue to rise. Insurance companies need to pay for well care. Preventive care is always a cost saver.

Stop allowing illegal's born in this country to be come American citizens. We are the only country I know of that allows that practice and millions are spent each year paying for births and health care of another country's children while American children go without health care. Revamp Medicare to stop waste. And the list goes on. Fix it- not, replace it and go from there.

Connie Kenney

* * *

One health care topic that I remember comments on a while back seems to have disappeared in the current town hall meetings and news stories. People who are self employed but have no health care by choice.

The subject came back to me recently when an independent contractor for a local company came to my house. He was working and blurting out all kinds of political and social opinions (very unprofessional in my opinion). Finally, he began talking about how he left his position with a company and became self employed. He was angry because the government does not currently arrange for him to have free health care. He went on to state that he had no intentions of purchasing health insurance.

His next topic really caught my interest. He began to talk about a 'hobby' of his. It involves hundreds and thousands of dollars to participate and maintain activity. I immediately began to wonder how someone could elect to leave a job with health care assistance, begin his own business,refuse to plan for health care and expect to get free health care from anyone?

It did not take long to understand that his 'hobby' was more important than taking care of his spouse and two small children, not to mention himself, since his income provides bandages and pepto bismol. Any comments from those who know how this irresponsible lifestyle will be handled?

Ted Ladd
Rossville