Letters to the Editor
Charles Krauthammer diminishes the coalition that President Obama assembled for the military operation in Libya, while stating that the president is not serious about the mission and that he is modest about his country ("Obama's war by committee,&quo
Ironic position given Iraq war
Charles Krauthammer diminishes the coalition that President Obama assembled for the military operation in Libya, while stating that the president is not serious about the mission and that he is modest about his country ("Obama's war by committee," Monday). That is an ironic position for Krauthammer to take considering that he was such a champion of the Iraq war, a quagmire that the United States arrogantly and almost unilaterally entered without understanding the ramifications. The history of the last decade should make abundantly clear how foolish that approach was.
I seem to recall that, under the last president, Americans were supposed to refrain from criticizing the commander-in-chief while our troops were fighting overseas. Have the rules changed?
Bill Fanshel
Bryn Mawr
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Why tax dollars for programming?
I take issue with your editorial advocating that Democrats take a vigorous stand against cuts in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting ("Wrong targets," Saturday). Although they offer quality news analysis and interviews, is it the responsibility of government to support a public radio or TV station? This is especially poignant when the current level of government spending is unsustainable.
Bob Altman
Yardley
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Strong support for public broadcasting
As Congress faces tough budget choices, several proposals have surfaced that are at odds with public opinion ("Wrong targets," Saturday). According to a recent bipartisan survey conducted by Hart Research and American Viewpoint, more than two-thirds of all voters oppose eliminating government funding for public television and public radio. Even the 42 percent of voters who say that reducing our national deficit should be the country's top priority oppose eliminating public broadcasting's federal funding by a 60 percent to 36 percent margin.
Support for public media from all sources is necessary to ensure that Philadelphia-area residents continue to receive trusted in-depth news, easy access to regional creative arts experiences, and a universal safe haven for children to learn.
William J. Marrazzo
President and CEO
WHYY Inc.
Philadelphia
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Corbett, legislature have to wake up
Gov. Corbett's proposal to cut local school subsidies may keep him from raising state taxes, but I will probably be paying higher real estate taxes to make up the loss.
A tax on Marcellus Shale natural-gas drilling is not an increase in taxes for residents ("Time to listen to reason," Sunday). It is a tax on out-of-state companies. Call it a "fee." Nearly every other state collects on natural-gas extraction.
When the governor and the legislature wake up and finally ignore the lobbyists, I hope they share the fee equally with local schools, state roads, and affected communities.
Bob Hammaker
Chadds Ford
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Small price to pay for more insured
Your story about Gov. Corbett's opposition to the federal health-care law ("Pro and con: Hearing, rally mark health law," Thursday) omits an important piece of information. While the number of state Medicaid recipients would grow by nearly 700,000 by 2019 as a result, the May 2010 Kaiser Foundation study estimates that the five-year, $2 billion cost of this increase would be just 2.7 percent higher than if the new health-care legislation had not been passed.
Securing health-care insurance for nearly one-third more Pennsylvanians than currently covered by Medicaid (2.25 million) for such a relatively small cost seems like a great investment in a state suffering from 8 percent unemployment, and where 42,000 working-poor adults recently lost their state-sponsored health-insurance coverage. Let's seize this opportunity to do better.
Colleen McCauley
Health Policy Director
Public Citizens for
Children and Youth
Philadelphia
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Charming concern from GOP men
How fortunate am I that male Republican lawmakers and governors are so concerned that, as a woman, I am unable to make an intelligent decision about my body and my health and that they are willing and eager to step in and guide me toward a "correct" response ("A rising antiabortion tide," Sunday). Should I look toward the day when they protect me from unwanted glances and the temptations of men by covering me from head to toe? How charming to see this level of concern for women from that segment of society whose usual response to being told "I'm pregnant" is, "How do I know it's mine?"
Deanna Tropea
Quakertown
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Ironies step up in high-end shoe biz
I thought it ironic that the $325 Kate Spade platform peep-toe slingback shoes that Sherri Guggenheim's customers are buying just may send them to her husband, David, a foot and ankle surgeon ("A niche amid bling," Monday).
Phyllis Stein-Novack
Philadelphia