Fear propagated by right-wingers
When George Bush was selected president by the U.S. Supreme Court, violating Florida’s state rights; when they started listening in on citizens’ phone calls and reading our e-mails; when they called up state-run National Guard units for an ill-conceived, poorly run war of choice; when they mandated “No Child Left Behind” but didn’t fund it — where were Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, and Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama and the Tea Party group? I didn’t see them fighting for states’ rights then. Maybe it is because they think it is OK for the Republicans to do these things, but not for the Democrats to give us access to health care or clean air. As usual, the Republicans are supporting the wealthy corporations’ rights to pollute and to overcharge for medical care over the rights of the common citizen. It would be nice to see them stop playing politics with the real needs of the people.
As far as Tea Party protestors, I will always remember the one who screamed “Get the government out of my Medicare!” Also, remember the ones who called President Obama a fascist and a communist, which are mutually exclusive. “Fear, fear, fear” from the right again.
Melanie Kenoyer
Vancouver
Both parties have blown it
In Tom Lineham’s Jan. 28 letter, “First year of presidency is impressive,” he mentions the Republican Party controlled Congress for the last eight years and blew it royally. Since he mentions that Congress blew it royally, I assume he feels that the Democrat Congress blew it as well. Lineham should check his facts. The Democrats controlled Congress in 2007 and 2008. The Democrats also were the plurality party (one short of majority) in the Senate in 2001 and 2002 . And do not forget that the Democrats are in control now. The Democrats as well as Republicans in Congress have blown it royally.
I think it is time we all should work together. No more behind closed door deals and no more bickering. Barack Obama campaigned on change. Have we witnessed any change? I see the same old politics as usual with a different agenda. It is time that our elected officials in Congress start listening to the American people.
Dan Stupur
Camas
Listen and learn from experts
I am impressed with the health care economic forecast by Joseph Kortum, president and CEO of Southwest Washington Medical Center. We should be listening closely to the experts we know right here in our community.
Allowing the reform dialogue to be driven by moneyed interests and inflammatory sound bytes, we have bypassed the conversation we really should be having — one that focuses on our values as human beings and brings us together instead of creating a wedge.
What do we want our health care system to be, an industry that consumes vast resources and creates health and wealth for some, or a network of caregivers who nurture all Americans by educating, preventing, treating and healing, plus supporting us as we die?
I invite all those who care about this debate to unhook their thinking from the dollar sign and consider their own values and the outcomes they desire for their families and friends, along with our wider community. As the business gurus have taught us, when we improve the quality of our processes, the costs drop.
Betty Montgomery
Vancouver
Obligated to pay taxes as a community
“Here we go again — time for school levies. The schools need more money.” So begins the whine from Lawrence Pace’s Jan. 27 letter, “Retirees should not pay for schools.”
My property has been devalued as well as most people’s in the county. I’ve not received a tax bill for the devalued property but when I do, I assume it will be less than it was in the past. My husband and I are also retirees, but we will happily pay the bill. As members of this society, we are all “in it together.”
There are lots of people in a community who no longer drive. They are still obligated to pay taxes, which go to the upkeep of roads. Likewise, just because a family doesn’t have kids in school is no reason not to pay taxes for the upkeep of the schools. School taxes and levies are for the good of the community as a whole. Good scholars grow up to be good policemen, good teachers, good doctors and nurses, good real estate agents and newspaper people. We need good schools for the community, and if you live here, you are as obligated as any of those of us who have children in school to help pay for schools.
Vivian E. van Dijk
Brush Prairie
Ability to invest is limited
Two letters published Jan. 27 received my attention and I would like to ditto the writers’ sentiments.
Lawrence Pace’s letter, “Retirees should not pay for schools,” regarding school levies echoed my thoughts. As a retiree I am on a fixed pension, having no COLA ever. I have paid my taxes for years, which includes taxes for schools. I believe once a person is retired and on a fixed income, they should not be required to pay increasing taxes, particularly for something so removed from their lives as schools. The argument that investing in schools is investing in the future doesn’t play — my future is limited and I’ve grown tired of investing in something with no returns.
Sheila G. Hudson’s letter, “Congress consumed by greed,” regards a similar subject. Government employees (this includes all from the federal level to the city level) receive COLA adjustments every year. She has been fortunate to receive a COLA every year to this point. As I mentioned previously, I never will. It’s time for government employees from the top down to face the reality that millions of Americans face every year, there is no raise this year.
Vicki Coles
Vancouver
Detention and torture inhumane
The Guantanamo Bay detention facility is inhumane and should be closed as soon as possible. It should never have been opened. Torture does not work as stated by military officials as well as counter-terrorism experts have said. Torture is ineffective for gathering intelligence. Anyone involved in administering torture should be punished whether they actually performed it, or were aware of it happening and nothing was done by them to put a stop to it. We need to return to the rule of law and decency.
Although promises were made to close its doors, to date Guantanamo is still open. People who were not tried or not found guilty are presently being kept there and possibly tortured. What have we become?
The facility seems to remain open indefinitely although over 100 Guantanamo detainees — including many from Yemen — have already been screened and cleared for release. Their prolonged and indefinite detention is a violation of the rule of law.
Josette Biehl
La Center
