The Scoot Inn
'Promote the General Welfare'
RECEIVED Thu., Aug. 20, 2009
Dear Michael King,
Re: “Point Austin: Let Them Eat Sprouts!” [News, Aug. 21]: Thank you for appealing to our better natures by reminding us of our founding principle to "promote the general welfare," as you frame health care as a basic right. Why should America be the only industrialized nation not to consider it such? That John Mackey has the resources to afford his “high-deductible” health insurance separates him from those countless Americans whose lives become desperate when illness forces financial ruin. In a nation where many are quick to laud its religious foundations, whatever happened to the notion of being my brother’s keeper? The tradition of Judaism and Christianity is that people do have this responsibility, not to say it is absent in other religions. Sweeping change is never easy, but I am confident that, ultimately, sane voices will prevail. In the meantime, I will not boycott Whole Foods but will definitely curtail my purchases and redouble my efforts to shop the Saturday farmers' market, as you suggest!
Re: “Point Austin: Let Them Eat Sprouts!” [News, Aug. 21]: Thank you for appealing to our better natures by reminding us of our founding principle to "promote the general welfare," as you frame health care as a basic right. Why should America be the only industrialized nation not to consider it such? That John Mackey has the resources to afford his “high-deductible” health insurance separates him from those countless Americans whose lives become desperate when illness forces financial ruin. In a nation where many are quick to laud its religious foundations, whatever happened to the notion of being my brother’s keeper? The tradition of Judaism and Christianity is that people do have this responsibility, not to say it is absent in other religions. Sweeping change is never easy, but I am confident that, ultimately, sane voices will prevail. In the meantime, I will not boycott Whole Foods but will definitely curtail my purchases and redouble my efforts to shop the Saturday farmers' market, as you suggest!
Sandra Gregor