Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection
To the Editor:
I cannot understand why I continue to receive mailers and phone calls from the McDonnell and Cuccinelli campaigns. I suppose Mr. McDonnell would like me to forget his “thesis,” and Mr. Cuccinelli wants to reinforce his motto, “Don’t Tread on Me.” However, on every issue, neither one represents me. Both men have not only failed to support funding for education and transportation, they also wish to control the most personal aspects of our lives. For those of us who lost someone we loved at Virginia Tech, they ignore commonsense gun laws and despite proclamations of being pro-life, filed bills to expand gun rights with little regard for public safety.
Mr. McDonnell may claim his “thesis” is history, but from 1998-2003, he repeatedly and unsuccessfully submitted bills to establish Covenant Marriage. Mr. Cuccinelli co-patroned a failing bill with Dels. Bob Marshall and Dick Black requiring that individuals would incur a Class 6 felony if they provided a minor with a contraceptive knowing that the minor was involved with someone three years older. Imagine arresting parents or doctors who, aware of a consensual teenage relationship, suggest protection against pregnancy, AIDs or sexually transmitted disease?
In 2004, both McDonnell and Cuccinelli patroned bills urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to declare that civil unions or domestic partnerships, regardless of whether they were single sex or opposite sex, would not be valid or recognized in the United States. Therefore, seniors who chose to live together because they might lose a deceased spouse’s pension or any other adults, who for whatever reason, chose to live together, would be blocked from legally protecting their partner. Even businesses recognize that right.
Both men may declare they are Fairfax’s own, but in 2004, Mr. McDonnell patroned and Mr. Cuccinelli voted for a bill that prohibited local governments from determining their own gun laws. Mr. McDonnell also patroned a failing bill that would have reduced restrictions on hunting near subdivisions. Ironically, while Mr. Cuccinelli opposed the Melendez decision because it imposed more court time, he patroned an unsuccessful bill that would have required courts to prove disqualifications for conceal carry by “clear and convincing evidence.”
Most frustrating is both men’s refusal to consider implementing common sense gun laws such as background checks for unlicensed sales at gun shows, even though the Virginia Tech Panel recommended doing so and the majority of Virginians support it. Rather, both men believe that by addressing the mental health component of the VT tragedy, they resolved the issue. Both men insist that background checks are already conducted at gun shows and they are unwilling to interfere with what they consider “private” sales at a very large, very public event. Licensed dealers do conduct background checks at gun shows, but individual sellers do not, thereby allowing buyers who wish to avoid a background check, to purchase a weapon even if they are a convicted felon, under a court order, or have been deemed dangerous to themselves or another. Mr. Cuccinelli publicly declared that he would “trade off” background checks for conceal carry on campus. If both men truly care about public safety, particularly of our children, then they would agree a two-minute background check is not an imposition, but a necessity. For those of us who lost someone at Virginia Tech, we can attest that saving lives should be at the forefront of any campaign for governor and attorney general, and is just as important as the core issues of education, transportation and the economy. And that is what is most important to me.
Lu Ann Maciulla McNabb
Centreville
Take Pride in The Health Care Law
CentreView
20 September 2010
The Editor, CentreView
In December 2009 the Health Care was passed and became law.
At that time 26 million Americans were uninsured. Also 70 million Americans, 59
million adults and 11 million children, possessed limited health coverage that did
not provide immunizations or mammograms or other preventive care services. Their
policies typically did not cover pre existing conditions; rescinding coverage for major
illnesses and lifetime or annual limits was generally included. Preventive care was not
provided. Children over the age of 21 would not be covered in family plans.
Last year health insurance companies increased premiums on average by 26%.
Next month this Health Care law allows coverage of children under age 26 to be
included under family plans. Soon insurance companies will be required to provide
coverage for pre-existing conditions, major illnesses and preventive care to include
mammograms, colonoscopies, cervical screenings and chronic disease such as high
blood pressure. Emphasis is to be placed on preventive care and wellness programs.
This Health Care program will provide coverage for about 97% of all Americans. As its
conditions are implemented national medical costs will be significantly reduced.
Many republicans want to repeal this law. Many republican candidates also publicly
advocate privatization and repeal of Medicare. There has been no Health Care program
offered or developed by republicans, except allowing America to decline to third
world status. Actions advocated by republicans demonstrate their thoughtless and
irresponsible positions
Republican assertions and criticisms of this law have been untrue and misleading.
Americans can take pride in passage of this Health Care law. They should also vote for
democratic candidates in the November elections.
Larry Baldwin
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