Letters to the Editor
I am a conservative independent who doesn't like the new health-care bill and the government overreach it represents even a little bit. That being said, what kind of democratic republic are we living in when one person can effectively stymie the will of the people and their elected government?
One judge decides for a whole country?
I am a conservative independent who doesn't like the new health-care bill and the government overreach it represents even a little bit. That being said, what kind of democratic republic are we living in when one person can effectively stymie the will of the people and their elected government?
One judge, Roger Vinson of Florida, who was not elected but appointed decades ago, can affect law that touches everyone in the country. I would say the same about the two district judges who have upheld the health bill. It is equally wrong for the system to allow them to rule nearly arbitrarily and inflict their personal interpretation upon the rest of us. The sooner this matter reaches the Supreme Court, the better - although the court will also most likely rule "along party lines."
Imagine if we could have people in authority who cared about the good of the country and were not influenced solely by political agendas.
Ed Campbell
Philadelphia
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An epidemic, not a money-maker
The recent Food and Drug Administration rejection of the drug Contrave demonstrates again that obesity is looked upon as a money-maker for Wall Street, not the medical epidemic it has become ("FDA rejects a touted new diet drug," Wednesday).
There is too much focus on after-the-fact, quick-fix treatments instead of lifestyle changes that are more time- and energy-consuming and less profitable for big corporations. Extremely effective 12-step programs are rarely recommended for obesity, while money-making bariatric surgeries are. Surgeries do not change lifestyles, yet they are becoming far too common because of the dollars they generate for health systems.
As with any epidemic, prevention is key. Counseling is more labor-intensive than a pill, but offers better long-term outcomes and fewer side effects. Let us approach the obesity epidemic with prevention and lifestyle modification, not a drive-through, Wall Street mentality.
Joey Rottman
Berlin
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Caring bus drivers are no surprise
I was pleased but not surprised by your story (Jan. 28) about the 150 bus drivers who were stranded overnight with their passengers in the last big snowstorm.
Transport Workers Union Local 234 drivers and maintenance workers work hard to ensure that SEPTA provides clean, comfortable, and safe transportation for our community. Watching over stranded passengers until they get safely home in bad weather is just an extension of what our members do every day.
John Johnson Jr.
President
Transport Workers Union Local 234
Philadelphia
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The lessons of 'Looking for Work'
The "Looking for Work" series has been a great way for readers to learn how long-term unemployment impacts our fellow human beings. We're cheering for their return to the ranks of the employed, and hope to read good news about them. Please let us know how they fare.
Mary Tsiouris
Drexel Hill
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Address bullying and bias in schools
It is fortunate that the Jan. 11 attack against the young African immigrant in Upper Darby ended before it was too late ("7th teen arrested in U. Darby bullying attack," Wednesday). But I am concerned that harassment of African students may be a pervasive problem in Upper Darby, just as it is in Southwest Philadelphia.
Last fall, a witness told the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations that the growing population of African and Caribbean immigrant schoolchildren is often the target of racial teasing and violence. Is bullying African students also a pattern in Upper Darby? If so, the solution needs to go beyond arrests. There are many tools to recognize bias and stop bullying before it escalates into violence.
I hope that recognizing and addressing bias is high on the agenda for schools in the region.
Sukey Blanc
Principal, Creative Research and Evaluation Services
Philadelphia
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Kangaroo mom pushes back
Might I speak for all of us decidely un-Tiger moms? Kangaroo moms, maybe?
The problem we have with Amy Chua's and Lini S. Kadaba's message is that it's a skewed understanding of the role of parenting ("Proud to be pushy," Wednesday). Yes, the tangible success of our children is important to all parents, but not at the expense of their emotional well-being, as some Tiger-mothered children report.
Our job as parents is multifaceted, but primarily it is to give our children the life skills and wisdom to blossom, thrive, and enjoy a meaningful and joyous life. Mastering a piano piece, getting into Harvard, or making a six- or seven-digit salary guarantees none of that. We kangaroo mothers would much rather our children experience moderate "success" in terms of college acceptance, career, and salary if it means well-balanced life skills, a job they find rewarding, and loving relationships.
Margaret Betz
Swarthmore