Letters to the Editor
Need courage to seek compromise Reading the headline of Thursday's editorial "Compromise a fading art," I expected it to be concerned with the lack of a budget in Pennsylvania. But it was about Congress. Indeed, the art of compromise is fading on every level. Those politicians who will not settle for half a loaf on any issue are not representing all of their constituents. They are playing to their supporters. They are interested only in reelection.
Need courage
to seek compromise
Reading the headline of Thursday's editorial "Compromise a fading art," I expected it to be concerned with the lack of a budget in Pennsylvania. But it was about Congress. Indeed, the art of compromise is fading on every level. Those politicians who will not settle for half a loaf on any issue are not representing all of their constituents. They are playing to their supporters. They are interested only in reelection.
Sen. Ted Kennedy never faced a serious opponent. He could act on the issues without the fear of losing his post. Most politicians are not as fortunate. It takes courage for them to think big. And nowadays that courage is in short supply.
Ken Kelly
West Chester
Private insurers
are for-profits
Critics of a health-care public option say a government program would have an unfair advantage because it wouldn't have to make a profit. This is the nut in the nutshell. The primary focus of private health-insurance companies is to make money. It is in their interest to deny care instead of providing it.
There are two single-payer health-care bills that would provide for unfettered choice of doctors and hospitals and coverage for mental health, prescription drugs, and dental services, as well as long-term care for everyone, including those with preexisting conditions. By whatever name, that's the option I want.
Pauline Caulk
Delran
Personal decisions
should remain so
I am confused by letter writers who label themselves conservatives but believe the government should become involved in regulating very personal decisions that are best left between a woman and her doctor. I thought the conservative viewpoint focused on minimizing the role of government, not allowing it to become even more intrusive.
I am especially appalled by those who view an embryo as a valuable natural resource that must be protected by the state. This is a totalitarian agenda that leads logically to declaring my left kidney a valuable natural resource that should be taken from me and given to somebody who needs it because this is in the best interest of the state.
Donald Gleiter
Warminster
Clean-energy bill
will create jobs
I was very pleased to learn that Sen. Arlen Specter says he won't support a filibuster of the clean-energy-jobs bill that will be considered by the Senate this fall. This is the right decision for Pennsylvania.
The clean-energy economy is already keeping more than 38,000 Pennsylvanians working, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. Another study notes that a comprehensive clean-energy and climate plan could create more than 71,000 clean-energy jobs for Pennsylvania.
Victoria Ford
Global warming field coordinator
National Audubon Society
Swarthmore
Protesters helped
U.S. win in the end
A recent letter writer implied that protesters helped the United States lose the Vietnam War. As one who opposed that war, I remember two stated reasons to fight it. First, was to prevent the "domino effect," which would cause all of Southeast Asia and Australia to fall to the evil communists. Second, was to keep Vietnam as a trading partner with our capitalist society.
By pulling out, we achieved both those goals. It turned out that Ho Chi Minh only wanted a Vietnam that was not controlled by the French or the United States. And you may have noticed that an awful lot of your clothes today are made in Vietnam. They're a pretty good trading partner.
Stephen Sander
Westtown Township
'Clunker' rebates
are no different
Why do we expect the government to be perfect, while expecting nothing from corporations?
Some car dealers are whining about not getting their "Cash for Clunkers" rebates immediately. It takes six to eight weeks to get a rebate from a corporation, whether it's for a dollar or a hundred dollars.
Why should the government provide rebates any faster than Best Buy or Procter & Gamble? This same double standard is being applied to the health-care debate. Many seem to expect more from the government than they do from their insurance companies.
Ed Dobrowolski
Morrisville
Bishop was right
to resign post
Re: "Scranton bishop resigns, citing leadership tensions," Tuesday:
Bishop Joesph Martino's intolerance for anyone or any group with a belief, position, or view different from his own is finally being rewarded by his removal, or resignation, if one prefers to gloss it over.
His contempt for Vice President Biden in threatening to withhold Holy Communion was especially outrageous and more than unbecoming in its lack of respect and the civility one expects of a bishop in our church.
Catherine Mary Henry
Havertown