July 14, 2004

By Staff
A cold vote
My husband and I want to know who voted to coldly knock people off Medicaid so we (and others) will know how to vote when the occasion arises. This was a sorry, sorry thing to do and I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to see this happen. I know of one instance in our family that will be devastating. And there are so many more.
Why couldn't there be people knocked off who were lying in the first place to be on it? People who had other means to pay and didn't want to? And just about all of us know someone in that situation. The stress alone that these people who got letters have gone through is too much.
I hope our legislators and Mr. Barbour can live with what they have all done.
Jeannie Ross Howard
Louisville
Editor's note: The following members of the House from East Mississippi voted against House Bill 1434 (the Medicaid reform bill) on May 7: Steve Horne of Meridian; Scott Bounds of Philadelphia; Billy Nicholson of Newton; and Tracy Arinder of Morton. Reps. Charles Young and Greg Snowden, both of Meridian, and Eric Robinson of Quitman voted for the bill, which passed the House 82-32. Sens. Terry Burton of Newton, Videt Carmichael of Meridian, Sampson Jackson of DeKalb and Gloria Williamson all voted for the bill, which passed the Senate 43-8.
Barbour deserves bad press
Isn't it truly amazing at the lengths our government, especially our governor, will go to in order to go down in history. Gov. Barbour will forever be remembered in Mississippi history as the worst governor elected into office, even by many of his own party.
Mississippi has always had bad press (racism, education, poverty levels, etc.) Now we can thank our governor for even more negative press for his Medicaid bill. Even if he amends this bill and doesn't cause physical harm to all of the people this bill effects, I wish that he would consider the physical and mental harm he has done to these people already. I know they have worried night and day, lost sleep and suffered increased blood pressure. Not to mention the fact that they have spent money they didn't have to travel to the governor's mansion and to make long distance phone calls to their legislators.
So, Gov. Barbour, on behalf on all who agree with me, we truly hope you enjoy your place in Mississippi history, however negative it may be.
Leanne Sumrall
via e-mail
Stranded
The Meridian Symphony Orchestra under conductor Claire Fox Hillard at Bonita Lakes on July 4 was beautiful as we all celebrated the nation's birthday. This is one of our highlights as we always attend. The fly-over by pilots from Naval Air Station Meridian was spectacular; we are so proud of their training.
But let me tell you we, among hundreds of people who left their cars at Bonita Lakes Mall and were transported by city transit buses, were stranded for about an hour because some persons had blocked the entrance to the road where the buses came the back way to pick up people. We had to wait for a wrecker to come tow away the car.
Everyone was nice, but very teed off. These people who parked in the road should apologize to all the stranded persons for such a long wait. They need signs posted at the entrance to bus road No Parking and Tow Away Zone.
Clarence and Annie Crimm
Quitman