Aug. 31 Letters to the Editor

Stop glorifying war

I am not thrilled about “Publisher Takes Leap to Go Digital,” distributing a digital book “Soldiers” depicting a group of soldiers with supernatural powers, Talking Business, Aug. 25.

More glorification of war. War is not a video game. War destroys life and property. War does not destroy the causes of war. The only benefit of war is to the manufacturers of the war machines. Dwight Eisenhower warned us years ago of the power and influence of the military-industrial complex. Now over one-half of the total U.S. budget goes to the military.

Even TV and movies for toddlers feature violence, force and mayhem, portraying it as fun, normal and necessary.

For information on how to promote peace in the world and stop our addiction to war, contact Fellowship of Reconciliation, 225 North 70th, Seattle 98103, phone (206) 789-5565 or wwfor@connectexpress.com, www.scn.org/wwfor

Jean Bruner

Longview

Greed is the problem

Over 50 percent of all bankruptcies in the U.S. are a result of medical debts.

We do not have a medical insurance free market. The insurance cartels control prices and are responsible for our high costs.

Thirty percent or more of our insurance money goes to executive salaries, corporate jets and other amenities. The U.S. has the highest medical costs in the world.

Unlike the overhead of for-profit insurance companies, the overhead for Medicare is under 3 percent. Only a public option, or better yet Medicare for all, will keep costs from going out of sight.

I would like to urge everyone to call your Senators, Congressmen and the White House comment line and ask that they support the needs or the American people, instead of the corporate needs of big pharma and the insurance lobby.

Bill Eagle

St. Helens

Give me hard-core socalism

Congress should pass President Truman’s health care plan.

Eleanor, the greatest American woman, said it was a good plan and supported it. Republicans said it was “creeping socialism.”

If Republicans are against something, I am for it. I don’t want any of this creepy, crawly socialism, I want raging socialism, that thunders like a million buffalo stampeding across the plains.

I want “socialized medicine” that will trample Harry and Louise, leaving them as two little grease spots in the dirt. I want a stampede of “socialized medicine” that will leave insurance company executives, who don’t give a darn if 50 million Americans are uninsured so long as profits are high, just clumps of flesh scattered across the plains.

I want nothing left of Washington lobbyists but dried blood on the horns of a bull buffalo.

I want “rampaging socialism” that will haul all Republicans in Congress — maybe also a quarter of the Blue Dogs — up before the “death panels,” with not the slightest chance of a reprieve.

Trudy Wade

Kelso

Rushing to disaster

How disingenuous of the ruling oligarchy to act surprised over the legitimate concerns of their constituency regarding “health care” reform.

The federal government is attempting to grab control of over 16 percent of the nation’s GNP with a “plan” that has been hatched, as one concerned citizen put it, over a period of time shorter than it took the first family to decide on what breed of dog to get. We’d better be concerned.

Where are the studies and the findings which indicate what good parts of our existing system, the best in the world, should be kept and what needs to be changed? People are scared because there is no information forthcoming on which to base a considered opinion.

U.S. Reps. Brian Baird and Nancy Pelosi have taken to calling their constituents names. We are told that voicing our opinions stridently regarding this issue is “un-American”. Really? Their oligarchy has fostered all of this ill will by hurrying to get a self-serving bill passed. Why? What’s the rush? Do the studies. Inform the citizenry.

In the meantime, why would a knowledgeable person think that the federal government can run a health care system in light of their ineptness with Amtrak, the United States Post Office, Medicare and Medicaid both bankrupt, and Social Security, soon to be?

John T. Claypool

Longview

Protest Home Health and Hospice

One thing is clear in the health care reform debate; it is costly to insure an additional 47 million people. How new legislation is funded becomes the crucial question.

In order to fund health care reform, Congress will spend $1 trillion. More than half, or $500 billion, is to be found by cutting reimbursement to health care providers. This includes a $67 billion cut to Home Health and Hospice.

Home Health and Hospice are cost effective and compassionate programs within Medicare. Cutting reimbursement to these services will create reduced access to services that keeps seniors in their homes and out of hospitals and nursing facilities. If cuts take place, health care costs will rise for everyone.

Home Health and Hospice keeps families together and provides care to the frail, dying, and infirm in their chosen place of residence. Join us in telling 3rd District Congressman Brian Baird that while working to reform health care he must work to eliminate payment cuts to Home Health and Hospice.

Visit www.helpuschoosehome.com and click on “Take Action” to send a letter to Congressman Baird or call his office at (360) 695-6292.

Greg Pang

Executive Director, Community Home Health & Hospice

Marc Berg

Director of Hospice and Home Care, Southwest Washington Medical