Let’s get some healthcare facts on the table (source is the nonpartisan National Healthcare Coalition):

1. In 2008, total healthcare spending in the U.S. was $2.4 trillion.

Fayette County, we have a problem. The article, “Foreclosures snag some big names in Fayette,” (The Citizen, June 24, 2009) stated that former candidate for Fayette County sheriff Barry Babb’s home, located at 406 Snead Road, was being foreclosed. Babb was demoted in January from captain to jailer by incoming Sheriff Wayne Hannah, and Babb’s pay was dropped commensurately.

A friend sent a video of the marvelous tribute that citizens in Fayetteville paid to Staff Sgt. John Beale, and I wish to convey to anyone in that hero’s welcome home my thanks for being the people you are.

I’m very concerned about the recent GM bankruptcy and its potential impact on the future of our country. The way the GM bankruptcy was handled sets a dangerous precedent, and threatens the security of all investments.

What is it that bothers us concerning the recent arrest of a county commissioner for illegal drug use while driving? Is it the betrayal of public trust or is it something more fundamental?

All individuals submitting this letter are former Fayette County commissioners. All of us took the same oath of office as Commissioner [Robert] Horgan. All of us were subject to the county’s ethics ordinance. All of us were subject to the pressure and public scrutiny which comes with the job.

So, the developers requested a delay for the outrageous industrial to residential zoning change for Callula Hills at the end of the airport runway.

Recently Kim Carroll said she was compelled to write in response to a previous letter to the editor. I too find myself compelled – only it is in response to Ms. Carroll’s letter.

Have you ever read a letter to the editor and afterward wondered, “What was the point of that?” I just had such a moment after reading Bill Webster’s June 16 letter. I believe there is a subtext at play. Mr. Webster’s main points are:

I write this letter to you to address a cloud that hovers over the Fayette County Board of Commissioners. A little over two weeks ago an event occurred that no reasonable voter, including myself, could anticipate or should tolerate.

Commissioner Horgan, you have built your reputation over a lifetime, and it can never be questioned lightly. I’m addressing you publicly with a profound awareness of the vital importance of your character and reputation.

The time has come for City Council to vote on the latest rezoning effort at the end of the airport runway to change industrial zoned property into residential.

Opinions are like noses: everyone has one.

We know what we like in our foods, cars, and the opposite sex. These opinions are derived from years and years of research, presumably because these things are important to us.

Ever since the West Fayetteville Bypass project (WFB) project was officially introduced in an open house meeting the county held last September, it has been a source of heated debate.

In a free-market system such as we have, prices are determined by supply and demand, but over the last four months we have seen the price of oil/gas go up, not because the supply of oil is getting low and the demand is going higher, but because a handful of stock manipulators are speculating that the demand will go up in the future.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in May when the Tigers held their first practice. The draft looks to be good to us this year, thought the manager. The 10- and 11-year-old boys were excited to be back on the field, back playing the game they loved.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in May when the Tigers held their first practice. The draft looks to be good to us this year, thought the manager. The 10- and 11-year-old boys were excited to be back on the field, back playing the game they loved.

Is it just me? Some things seem so obvious, yet .... Once again I am witness to public officials thinking they are rock stars, behaving with total disregard for the law, expecting the consequences to disappear like smoke, then asking pardon for what they propose to be a mistake.

Mr. Horgan, I was shocked and alarmed to see an article in the paper this morning regarding your possession of marijuana. I grew up in Fayette County and take great pride in calling Fayetteville home, as my parents still do.

Fayette County has a zero-tolerance drug policy for anyone that works for the county. Why does this not apply to our esteemed Board of Commissioners? Are they above the law?

In reply to the letter from Pat Cochran in the Wednesday, May 27, 2009 edition:

Keeping the question as to whether President Obama’s leadership is “outstanding” for another time, I find it amusing and frightening that Ms. Cochran wants editorial cartoons of President Obama stopped because she doesn’t like them.

I felt compelled to respond to some of the comments I read in a letter included in the May 27 issue complaining about The Citizen’s cartoons bashing Obama.

When I saw the title of the article in the paper last weekend, “PTC hikes Kedron pool fees, team fees untouched,” I knew the swim teams would probably once again be thrashed in the Free Speech section of the newspaper. We would probably be portrayed as people who are getting away with murder on what we pay to play.

I represent the West Fayetteville Bypass Coalition (WFBC). We are a group of Fayette residents opposed to the West Fayetteville Bypass (WFB). The WFB is an old project. At previous commissioners’ meetings, the general public expressed its displeasure. Every person making opinions known was opposed to the project.

As Fayette County schools come to a close this week, Joyce Larson ends more than 30 years of educating young children across the country and overseas.

I am a homeowner here in Fayetteville and have lived here for many years. I am aware of this county being very Republican, but not everyone votes the way of the Grand Old Party of rich white men. I am a white female in my 60s that voted for Barack Obama and I think his leadership is outstanding.

Peachtree City is not the city it should be, and a major reason is because our City Council has strayed from our land use plan and supported excessive retail growth, which is why I have decided to run for the Peachtree City Council.

I have been trying to get information about the ZIP code changes that are due in the next month. My ZIP code is currently 30296 and it MAY change to 30214, but I have never seen a list of the streets that are being affected.

Re: April 1, 2009, Kimberly Learnard letter to editor about Georgia PSC and GA Power. Subject: Higher electric rates? Blame eco-nuts and ...

Thank you for printing the letters to the editor on the Ellicott case that included important resource information for victims of family violence.