A freer Internet; fixing Obamacare; more doctors needed; don’t drop the system

A freer Internet

The giants of the telecommunications industry should not be allowed to control my use of the Internet nor should they have the power to arbitrarily slow down the speed with which I am able access the websites I visit.

I remember the days of dial-up access, and we should not be allowing former Telecom lobbyists to force us to view many websites at or even near those antiquated speeds.

Even though some personnel at the FCC are former lobbyists for Big Telecom, the president has issued a statement encouraging “net neutrality,” which calls for the Internet to be reclassified under Title II of the Communications Act (and regulated much like your utilities and other vital services are regulated).

It is time U.S. Sens. Cornyn and Cruz supported an open Internet and our local house members including Rep. Kay Granger did so, too.

Everyone who has a voice should learn more about Big Telecom’s plan to “play favorites” by letting the big providers charge high fees or slow down access.

Those sites that are starting up or simply don’t have enough traffic to pay higher fees won’t be able to compete on the World Wide Web.

— Leo Wadley, Fort Worth

Fixing Obamacare

If the new Congress wants to fix Obamacare, one of the first pieces of legislation should be to pass a law requiring all members of Congress and all federal employees be insured under the healthcare law.

Let them see firsthand what the rest of us folks are dealing with and I’ll bet they will stop talking and start working on fixing this mess.

— Cris Gross, Colleyville

More doctors needed

We need more good doctors, particularly in Texas.

Texas state legislators have long known this, and that is why Texas currently pays $44,000 per year to all Texas state-supported medical schools for each medical student enrolled (that’s $176,000 per student over four years).

Considering the growing physician shortage, this is money well spent.

However, due to a shortage of funded graduate medical education (GME) positions (medical residencies) in Texas, many graduating doctors are forced to accept positions outside of Texas.

These doctors then tend to practice in the states where they complete their residencies and our $176,000 investment in them is lost to other states.

Texans need to continue to wisely invest in training doctors.

However, the emphasis needs to switch from growing the number of Texas medical students to growing the number of Texas GME positions.

Furthermore, the type of new GME positions funded should mirror the type of doctors Texas needs most — primary-care physicians.

— Dr. Scott T. Stoll,

Fort Worth

Don’t drop the system

Get rid of the grand jury system?

James Herrington, in his recent letter, ignores one important thing: a district attorney trying to make a name for himself rather than seeking justice.

There is no way on earth I would get rid of the system, as it affords some possible fairness to anyone who someone else says committed a crime. True, only prosecution normally is heard from, but when a grand jury goes against a request from a district attorney, that to me indicates how important it is to fairness.

We hope grand juries can avoid public pressure.

Don’t forget, we have had some DAs in this state try to make names for themselves in the past and one in Central Texas convicted recently of withholding evidence of innocence. Regrettably, a man spent many years in prison because of it.

— Tom Stamey,

Fort Worth

The police and grand juries are doing a good job in America.

Not perfect, but the best in world. The media scenes are similar in Syria, Turkey, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. Don’t go there unless you are a terrorist.

Having served on the grand jury in Tarrant County, I can say that they are made up of people just like you.

Looking at facts, they might decide there is not enough evidence to send a case to trial.

The system is good.

— Jack O. Lewis,

Haltom City

This story was originally published December 12, 2014 at 7:37 PM with the headline "A freer Internet; fixing Obamacare; more doctors needed; don’t drop the system."