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Doesn’t see evidence of Obama’s ‘grab for power’
TweetDoesn’t see evidence of Obama’s ‘grab for power’
EDITOR:
In reading the Aug. 12 Vindicator, I found a letter writer’s tirade about “power grabs” by the Obama administration to be filled with so many inaccuracies that correcting each of them could be the topic of a college essay. In light of that, I will keep my responses clear and concise.
Regarding health care: I would be very interested where the writer is getting the information that 15-18 million of the 40 million uninsured are illegal aliens. Furthermore, having a mother without health insurance and a father and sisters who are doctors has shown me how truly screwed up our health care system — which benefits no one but the insurance industry — is. Secondly, we already have socialized medicine in this country in the form of Medicare and the VA. Furthermore, those nations with nationalized health care are quite content with their systems and enjoy lower infant mortality rates, higher life expectancies, and lower obesity than we in the United States do.
Regarding Finance/Economy: The writer was partially right about government actions precipitating the financial debacles, but not in the way he thinks. The financial meltdown was precipitated by the federal government’s repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, which had previously regulated such risky practices. For that, we can thank lobbyists from, where else, Wall Street.
Regarding Climate Change: As someone who has seen first hand the impact of climate change, I find the Aug. 12 letter’s posturing both ignorant and harmful. The “eco-terrorists” he refers to are those who care about protecting our wild places rather than spoiling them to satisfy our short-term greed. Furthermore, in what way will “cap and trade” lead to America’s “decline and destruction?” What is so wrong with rectifying the damage we’ve done to this planet? While it is true that Earth’s climate has shifted before, it is wrong to suggest that what is happening is not due to human activity. There is virtually unanimous scientific consensus that climate change is being caused by human activity. The only voices of disagreement come from those on the payroll of industries whose emissions and activities, and thus their profits and greed, are the source of such pollution.
I find it amusing that last week’s writer was ranting about the Obama administration’s alleged infringements on individual rights, and yet nowhere does he mention the Bush administration’s various violations of individual and human rights, ranging from torture to the PATRIOT Act (a truly Orwellian piece of legislation) to the atrocities committed by Blackwater mercenaries in Iraq.
LUKE TOCHTENHAGEN
McDonald
Flooding can’t be ignored
EDITOR:
Just after the heavy rains had stopped Aug. 11, I happened to be driving on Glenwood Avenue and was coming up to the intersection at Cohasset which was flooded again. But what was different this day was not the traffic trying to get though the intersection. It was the police car coming at me with its lights and siren on that stopped and then turned around and go back to W. Warren to get were it wanted to go. This is a bad thing when a police car turns around because it feels that the water is to dangerous to go though. If this had been an ambulance with a very ill person on board what would it have done?
The problem that is causing this flood of Glenwood has been around for more than 20 years, and no one has done any thing to fix it. Will it take a tragedy before the city does something about this problem? I hope not.
JAMES D. VAUGHN II
Youngstown
Comments
"The “eco-terrorists” he refers to are those who care about protecting our wild places rather than spoiling them to satisfy our short-term greed."
It's called GreenPeace and the Earth Liberation Front. Apparently Mr. Tochtenhagen hasn't been to California and the west coast to see ecoterrorism first hand. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/us/...
Regarding deathcare, Mr. Tochtenhagen should also make a quick trip to Canada to see the problems their government have made for the citizens there. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/l...
Also, Is there now a written rule that if you want to criticize the current abomination you have to also include every other abomination in this country's history?
Also, "The financial meltdown was precipitated by the federal government’s repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, which had previously regulated such risky practices." Yeah, let's start with subprime mortgages the Clinton and Bush administrations were pushing and then we'll get to Glass-Steagall and Wall Street. Sorry the government's not always the solution you'd like it to be Luke, in fact, it's more often creating problems than solutions.
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/30/bus...
Also, what does how fat I am have to do with health care? It's not because I haven't seen a doctor that I decide I'd like extra cheese on that pizza or that almost anything sounds a lot better than going to the gym. Should we make laws saying that I shouldn't be allowed to get ice cream when I feel like it? What's next we make laws saying that people who are overweight can be thrown in jail because they want to feed themselves to death?
15-18 million might be a new estimate but I have frequently heard 12 million uninsured illegals. Here's where you can find it since you aren't aware of Googling New york times or other newspapers articles. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washingt...
As you have failed to mention or realize there are plenty of people who would like to fix the Medicare and Social Security disasters before starting a new one. I for one agree they are socialist and should be phased out and dismantled by giving back what has been promised and not allowing new people to be entered into the systems.
I can only assume Mr. Tochtenhagen must be blind if he cannot see the infringments upon individual rights and liberties Obama has made, and yes Mr. Tochtenhagen is completely right about the Patriot Act.
Luke,
Excellent letter! Thanks for writing it.
There we go. Throw Bush under the bus to justify anything this administration does. Pathetic.. Maybe we should use Nixon as an excuse.. Break all the laws and say well he did it so... We need to move ahead and grow up!
Kellie,
Are you drinking the same Kool Aid that Luke is?
Can I get my change back!?!?!?!
Woody,
You are not one to criticize others for their koolaid consumption.
http://www.vindy.com/weblogs/reason/2...
I don't drink koolaid. I read a lot. Look at what makes sense.
The health care plan of OBummer, idiotic. And his reasoning, "Well we have to do something" So lets pass bad legislation and screw up the country even more.
"If you want to keep your current health plan and doctor you can" - Don't pee on my leg and tell me its raining. A public option provided by those who get to make the rules, will lead to the private option going bye, bye.
"We will not ration health care" Oh really, where are all these extra doctors going to come from now that you introduce 45 million more to the healthcare industry, while slashing payments to doctors and not giving them the incentives to go to medical school and become doctors.
Great points Luke. Its a good day when i see intelligence prevailing. Between your letter and the comments from The Hon. Barney Frank,D.Ma. I have hope that soon those that find virtue in ignorance will be exposed for what they are. Diningroom tables should be seen and not heard.
Well stated Luke. If the Right was "right" we would not be in this situation.
Great letter Luke. To all the people that are crying about a government option, how upset would you be if the age of eligibility for Medicare was change to 50 years old? Ask anyone on Medicare if they would rather be out shopping for insurance. It would be almost impossible for a 65 or 70 year old to become insured and if they could what do you think it would cost for full coverage?