Visions of a Republican takeover dance in his head
Editor, The Times:
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, chief recruiter for Republican House candidates, says he is “anti-Washington” and is “fighting against this place” [“GOP recruiter combs states for new faces,” News, Dec. 27]. He wants people to run who are as angry as he is.
How about directing some of that energy toward solving problems? How about suggesting positive alternatives to ideas you don’t like?
There are ugly parallels to this hate-filled attitude during the Civil War. No one is suggesting there is a Civil War, but the present governor of Texas suggested secession as a solution. The vilification of our president and the hatred of our nation’s capital are common themes. Those who share McCarthy’s views are whom he wants to control Congress — angry, hateful and negative.
I humbly suggest that people who hate Washington just stay home. We’ll all be happier.
I want people to run who want to make things better, to build on the framework our wise forebears gave us, to improve the lives of everyone and to give us a more perfect union.
— Marion K. Sherman, Maple Valley
Just what I wanted for Christmas
As The Seattle Times article “Senate OKs health-care measure, reaching milestone” [Seattletimes.com, Nation & World, Dec. 24] notes, on the eve of this Christmas, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray helped pass comprehensive health reform.
Washington residents could not have received a better holiday gift.
When the final bill is signed, no Washington family will have to worry about seeing a child’s care denied due to a pre-existing condition or a loved one’s coverage dropped because they got sick.
Starting next year, area small businesses will get tax credits to help afford good coverage. After years of paying for bloated insurance-company bureaucracy and profits, insured Americans will be guaranteed that 80 to 85 percent of their premiums go to medical care.
Thank you, Cantwell and Murray. Happy holidays to all, and to all a good health.
— Irene Jeon, Seattle
Not even Ebenezer Scrooge
House Minority Leader John Boehner stated on Christmas Eve that “Not even Ebenezer Scrooge himself could devise a scheme as cruel and greedy as Democrats’ government takeover of health care” [“Reaction to Senate passage of health-care bill,” Seattletimes.com, Business / Technology, Dec. 24].
I laughed and felt irritation all in the same moment.
The fact is that Ebenezer Scrooge would have cheered at the 39 Republicans’ no votes. Ebenezer Scrooge didn’t even believe in giving any of his employees a day off, let alone offering any kind of health-care plan. They were on their own, Tiny Tim included.
That is the epitome of stinginess and greed.
Health care is a right, not a privilege, and Boehner’s incorrect and rather projective statement demonstrates that his wish is to keep it a privilege only for those who can afford it.
And Ebenezer Scrooge would have agreed heartily, with what little heart he had.
— Bill Volmut, Seattle