Aug. 17 Letters to the Editor

Much needs addressing

At the most critical time in our country, Congressman Brian Baird has chosen to not hold a town meeting (Baird recently announced that he will hold town hall meetings). The health care bill fiasco is only one thing that needs addressing.

Should we not be discussing the foolish spending and massive debt that is going to cripple the U.S. for future generations? Maybe when it starts to hit people financially, they will wake up (this includes everyone, not just the rich, as the Obama administration would lead us to believe).

If you don’t like things, such as mandatory coverage for abortions and forcing medical staff to participate against their will, rationed health care, government control and bailing out businesses. If you don’t like the massive and foolish spending that Congress has been voting for and Americans will be taxed for, then you are considered an extremist nut case.

Having these concerns is appropriate for Americans and freedom of speech ensures that they be discussed in a public forum.

The biggest problem with the health-care bill could be what we don’t know about it.

Ron Nouguier

Longview

Consider the big picture

I am very fortunate. I have an excellent health care program. However, there are millions of Americans, including children, who have no protection. There are more and more people going bankrupt because of their inability to pay tremendous health care costs. We are the only leading nation in the world without adequate health care for its citizens.

Town Hall meetings would be good places to discuss health care problems. Unfortunately, Republicans have chosen to pack every such meeting with those who are opposed to reform, so there is no opportunity for real discussion. The tactic is very like a filibuster. Rep. Brian Baird has been forced into an impossible position by those opposed to reform. Their voices have been heard. Everyone knows of their opposition.

In history, every opportunity to improve the lot of our less fortunate citizens has been fought tooth and nail by those who are happy with their own situations — Social Security, racial justice, minimum wages, etc. Please, let’s look at the big picture.

Ruth Thompson

Longview

Dangerous crossings

On Aug. 10, while on my normal walk with my caregiver, Christine Fiffe, we were almost struck by a white vehicle turning left in front of us. We were at the corner of 15th and Kessler, by the hospital. Altogether, there were five people and a baby in a stroller walking across that intersection when this happened. The lady driving just glared at us while she sped by.

Not five minutes later we watched another vehicle almost hit another pedestrian at 15th and Delaware. The pedestrian had to jump back onto the sidewalk to keep from being hit. After that incident, the pedestrian stated that he was already on his way to the hospital. Again, the driver just sped off.

We have come close to being hit by vehicles running red lights so many times that we would love to see red-light cameras at every intersection in Longview.

We know that is not possible. However, we would like to see them at the most heavily used intersections.

Anyone who wants to disagree with us should get into a wheelchair and try to cross Washington Way or 15th Avenue on any morning or afternoon, Monday through Friday. It can get pretty scary.

Charles Poston

Longview

Job gets done

I really appreciated Phyllis McKinster’s letter of Aug. 4, as I had just spent time trying to locate the correct department to report a spreading tansy patch in a very obvious location in Castle Rock. I found it was not a city problem, so I started with Weed Control — wrong department. But by several phone calls, I found one source didn’t have landscaping funds. Another told me a great way to pull it was after a good rain.

This was the week of 105- to 109-degree temperatures, so I thought I may have to fill a sprinkling can, use gloves, boots and mask, and trudge down to North Huntington Avenue and start pulling. Fortunately, I was given one more number to try and I left my message.

Angelica Valazquez, coordinator of the Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Control Board, called me back, listened, actually took time to view the area and, within a few days, the tansy was gone. I learned there was a little red tape involved — property ownership, etc. — but she was very nice to talk to and the job got done. Thank you very much.

Gwen Boss

Castle Rock