Competition will bring down rates

In 1983, I paid $2.60 per minute to place a phone call from Chicago to my brother in San Diego. All local and long-distance lines were owned by AT&T;, a.k.a. Ma Bell. It held a monopoly, tolerating no competition.

So the federal government forced the breakup into regional phone companies, effective Jan. 1, 1984. Soon other companies offered local and long-distance service. I can now call that same, much older brother for six cents per minute!

Government does not regulate the phone companies. It established competition on a level playing field and then allowed the free market to work its magic.

In the same way, government can encourage fierce competition between insurance companies. As it is now, each state insurance commission maintains control over every company operating in state. This violation of the Interstate Commerce Clause inhibits beneficial competition because every company is subject to the same control over operations and rates.

We need Washington to declare that state insurance commissions constitute an impediment to competition. All current insurance companies can then compete nationwide; new companies will enter the fray; and our free market will guarantee better health insurance coverage at much lower rates.

Joseph Pasulka, Southport, N.C.



Kyova fireworks pleasant surprise

On Saturday, Sept. 5, we took the kids to the Kyova Mall to see the fireworks. We didn't think they would last a long time, but our boy loves fireworks so we took the three of them to watch.

We were sure surprised! The display lasted for a half hour. The full moon was soon shining through the haze.

It was the most spectacular display that I have ever seen. Everyone was clapping, yelling and blowing their horns in appreciation.

So to everyone responsible for the beautiful start to the Labor Day weekend, we say “Thank you!”

Guynell Conley, Catlettsburg



U.S. aid to Israel should be frozen

Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitshak Shamir said: “I would have carried on autonomy talks for 10 years and meanwhile we would have reached half a million (Jewish) people in Judea and Samaria (West Bank)”

Now they’ve got their half million and they’'re going on from there.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is talking freeze to death, all the while issuing new permits and promising “just this one more round and then I’ll freeze.”

Doesn’t President Obama get it?

The only freeze Netanyahu will understand is a freeze on foreign aid from the U.S. Unfortunately, President Obama has already told Israel that a discussion of reducing aid is off the table.

Let President Obama know what you think of continuing aid money unabated in spite of Israel’s rejection of his peace initiatives.

Morton Nadler, Blacksburg, Va.