Puzzle

If Thursday night’s “debate” was any indication, it is no longer a puzzle as to why this government is incapable of managing itself, much less the country.

-- Ken Brown

Byron

Health care cuts

My staff and I were pleased to welcome Rep. Austin Scott to Radiation Oncology Services of America’s Macon Center recently. Rep. Scott’s willingness to learn more about the issues facing our community -- particularly cancer patients here -- is extremely important to the health and future of our residents.

I appreciated the opportunity to show Rep. Scott the state-of-the-art technology that allows us to eradicate cancers once thought to be terminal. Advances in radiation oncology have thankfully helped us to precisely target cancers in convenient, comfortable outpatient centers that give patients access to care without having to travel to distant hospitals or specialty centers.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency responsible for overseeing Medicare, proposed a funding cut of 15 percent to radiation oncology and a 19 percent cut to freestanding radiation therapy providers, the highest percentage cut to any medical specialty. This would mean $300 million less for the treatment of cancer patients, despite the fact that cancer incidence rates are on the rise and cancer is the second most common cause of death, exceeded only by heart disease.

This would also mean facility closures, staff layoffs and refusal of care to Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. Scott recently signed a House letter sent to Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, expressing serious concern. I applaud Scott’s support of and commitment to serving our area’s residents.

My staff and I are dedicated to the community in Macon and to ensuring that all patients receive the care they need and deserve when confronted with a cancer diagnosis. Our nation’s cancer patients must be able to continue to access advanced treatments in the communities in which they live.

-- Sean Cavanaugh, M.D.

Medical Director

Coliseum Radiation Oncology

Macon

Befuddled

It has been said one picture is worth a thousand words, and that is certainly true of the vice presidential debate of 2012. In the morning light I will forget almost everything Joe Biden and Paul Ryan said in that debate, but I will always remember the big shiny white teeth of our vice president, and how he smiled at the most inappropriate times.

Perhaps Biden was under a lot of stress and that caused his juvenile behavior, but he was the perfect picture of a befuddled, worn out politician, who has no business sitting one heartbeat away from President Obama.

-- John G. Kelley Jr.

Macon

Finally success

Perseverance, otherwise known as stubbornness, has prevailed. After I wrote my recent letter to the Editor I received notice that my land property appeal based upon lack of uniformity of values had been approved by the Board of Equalization that heard my latest appeal. This is encouraging in that there are some board members who can listen and fulfill their duties in accordance with the OCGA.

The money savings involved in this appeal is insignificant compared to taxes paid and money I expended going to court, but the principle was significant considering this took the fourth try using the same values of the Board of Assessors, not my values.

-- Arthur D. Brook.

Macon

Up the fine

Based on a recent informal poll, I am part of 25 percent of drivers who actually use their turn signals. Why don’t we raise the penalty for not using a turn signal to $500 and have our officers ticket five people a day? We could raise thousands of dollars, and who knows, people may learn to use their turn signals in Bibb County the same way we all know to slow down when driving through Monroe County.

-- B.J. Survant

Macon

Good Samaritan

My family and I would like to thank all who prayed for us and with us during the time of our son’s hospital stay. He had two strokes over two months at The Medical Center of Central Georgia.

Special thanks to a total stranger whose name we failed regretfully to get. As we left the hospital Jan. 28, a little past 9 p.m., he greeted us and said he was real excited because his family had been blessed with twins and mother and babies were doing fine. He spoke to us kindly and said take this money and get your supper. We feel so honored and blessed.

-- Edgar and Frankie Harrison

Macon

Sentence?

The recent actions of a local judge was totally out of control. Recently, this same judge sentenced a Macon man to five years in prison with all driving privileges suspended. Whether the Judicial Qualifications Committee rules in favor or not, this judge should step down, he is a disgrace.

-- Augustus C. Lawrence

Macon

Judge not

The Biblical admonition of Matthew 7 is, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Recent developments in the life of a prominent local member of the bench raises the question, has the operative concept in Bibb County government now become, “Judge, that you be not judged?”

-- Don Sweat

Macon

Dropped phrase

The thing I hate about this whole Simms deal is this. I’m not going to be able to use the phrase “sober as a judge” anymore.

-- Arthur Caldwell

Lizella

Prayer for today

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful to see another day that you have allowed me to see. Father, so many have gone on to be with you and I am still here. Thank you for another chance to make sure my life is in order before I leave this world. Lord, you are so good to me. Thanks so much. Amen.

-- Bessie R. Brown

Macon

Readers -- ministers, rabbis, priests and laypersons alike are invited to contribute prayers to this weekly feature. Mail them to “Prayer,” The Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, GA 31213; or fax to (478) 744-4385; or e-mail letters@macon.com.