Opinion

Since July 2007, this newspaper has graciously published a monthly article concerning benefits provided by the U.S.

    The fight over health care reform resembles its own kind of political campaign, as though there’s an election just down the road. The television airwaves are filled with competing commercials, just like the saturation of ads you see during a campaign.

The Cash for Clunkers program has highlighted several key points for all of us to remember. Consider this:

    • The public has taken full advantage of the opportunity to receive $4,500 for their old gas-guzzling vehicles from the government. This shouldn’t be a surprise. Most folks like “free” money and this taxpayer-supported program has provided a great opportunity to take advantage of that. In fact it has been so well utilized that the program has cashed out in its first week. That leads to the next point...

As I return home from Congress for an extended work period in the district, I will be devoting most of my time to discussing health care reform with constituents and doctors. For weeks, I made clear to Congressional leaders that we should not rush a vote on health care. I have already met with over 150 doctors and medical professional in our district about health care, and each meeting produces better ideas for improving health care and reducing costs.

As an educational outreach program of Virginia’s two land grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, the mission of Virginia Cooperative Extension is to assess the needs of our local communities and then develop educational programs to meet those needs. 

    One way to do this is by providing research-based information so that citizens can make well-informed decisions. As we continue our discussion on building financial success, let’s review what we discussed in the previous articles.

    While Congress wrangles over ObamaCare, my home phone has been ringing off the hook. Everybody has a short recorded message they want me to listen to. It’s almost as irritating as the bad old days before the Do Not Call list when I was constantly getting pestered by telemarketers. I’ve reverted back to my habit of not picking up the phone and just letting an answering machine take the call.

In the red

    Being a former Bedford County business teacher for 27 years, I don’t understand how Bedford County schools can be in the red $7,000 (Roanoke Times, July 17 - “Bedford board may scrap virtual school”). 

A well-educated workforce is critical for regaining America’s long-term competitive advantage. But the cost of paying for college and community college is becoming even more burdensome for Americans in this economy. While families are losing income and benefits, college tuition prices continue to rise. The average student now graduates with over $22,000 in total student debt, including federal and private student loans.

    My blessed mother reads the paper every week and always notices the hateful and snarling letters that are often aimed at your favorite liberal.

    “Did you see that awful letter?” she’ll ask. I usually haven’t seen it yet, but I’ll say, “Yeah, mom. It’s no big deal. It’s just the hot air you get from some people who can’t stand that somebody else disagrees with them.”