
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 14, 1993                   TAG: 9312140257
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AMERICANS CAN'T AFFORD `THE BEST'

IN ALMOST all of the epistles I read from members of the health-care industry on the runaway costs in that particular business, they state at some point that Americans have the best health-care system in the world. This statement is always made as though it were chiseled in stone, an accepted fact, like death and taxes.

Well, it may be the best, but I have a little trouble with that statement. How can a health-care system that's bankrupting its users be the best? OK, admittedly, they probably mean best in the qualitative sense; that we get superior treatment; our medical people know more, do more and have more gadgets than others. I certainly hope that's true, because we certainly pay more than others. But how do we know it's the best in the world? Do we have surveys, studies and statistics that back up this assertion?

Or is it like the field of education, where the best usually means whoever spends the most per pupil? That's like saying the football team with the highest-paid players is the best. Most every Sunday, the Redskins prove that idea invalid. Besides, do we really need the best, even if we knew what that was? I don't know about you, but I wonder what good it is to have the best health-care system in the world if I can't afford to use it.

J. RICHARD BROWN

ROANOKE

Barney is no children's demon

RESPONDING to what radio evangelist Joseph Chambers said about Barney the Dinosaur in The People Column in the Nov. 27 Roanoke Times & World-News:

I was appalled at his remark about Barney being declared a ``New Age Demon.'' According to Chambers, it's wrong for children to use their imagination. What's wrong with that?

He says Barney leads kids into a world of miracles and fantasy. Barney doesn't do that. He teaches kids to use their imaginations.

If he wants to downgrade any children's programs, why not downgrade Beavis & Butthead? How can he say Barney is evil when he teaches children manners, to share and other things like that?

KAREN KING

SALEM

Sing the praises of moral teens

THERE were 51 teen-age high-school students who were happy and proud to be singing in the choir on a recent Sunday night at the First Baptist Church in Roanoke. Why not write an article about them and glorify their morality and participation in church choirs? These are the teen-agers who deserve recognition and support for their activities.

RICHARD H. FISHER

SALEM

Why do girls choose pregnancy?

LETTERS responding to the ``Pregnant and proud'' article by Beth Macy have left me flabbergasted. Apparently, I was reading an edited version of the Roanoke Times & World-News intended for my household only. I saw no promos for teen pregnancy, nor any suggestions that they make the perfect role model.

In addition, we must admit the ``free ride'' being offered by taxpayers is one that the majority of us would decline. Public housing and fast-food restaurants offer little in terms of a promising future. I believe this was the point.

Teen-agers seem to be content with their situations as unwed parents, living on welfare. So content, in fact, that many are even planning pregnancies. This is the problem! Why would one choose such a path? Not exactly lofty ambitions.

Children reflect on society as a whole. If we cannot see the problem, how can we expect any more from them? There's something terribly askew when the focus and blame are placed on ``immorality'' and this newspaper.

Let's find out why they're happy with such a choice and lash out at this. Not until a focus is placed on the problem will we find an answer.

DANA J. PARK

RADFORD

Veterans treated with rudeness

SEEMS that Veterans Day is mainly observed by veterans. Honor the dead! What about the living?

I've worked with veterans all my adult life. We're treated as second-class citizens, and we're rough hewn due to necessity. Some people on the street are leery of those who fought for our country and have bad nerves as a result.

I wonder why people accept freedom as their heritage, but react with rudeness to the men who keep them free? Lack of understanding and rejection are the biggest problems in a veteran's life.

I fight for patriotism and America so that young people know what the factors are. Some people have no training at home and will go on with an untrained and uncouth attitude.

My heart and work will always go on for the veterans and the United States, regardless of other events.

WILLIAM W. ARNOLD

ROANOKE

by CNB