VTA improvements editorial is profoundly ignorant of political reality
Dear Editor,
I read with disdain this paper's opinion regarding improvements to the VTA Board of Directors. Dismissing my efforts to improve the board of directors as an "easy fix" displays a profound ignorance of both political reality and of the very real improvement that will occur if we have representation on the VTA Board that adequately recognizes South County's unique transportation needs.
It is easy for the editorial staff to sit back and claim that we shouldn't do anything unless we can come up with the perfect solution and get it passed by the legislature. But those of us who operate in the real world realize that it will be virtually impossible to impose significant changes on the VTA Board through the legislative process, particularly since any such measure would likely be opposed by San Jose the rest of the county. Combine that with the fact that, due to gerrymandering, we have virtually no representation in the Legislature, and it becomes obvious that your solution has little merit and even less chance of success.
I would be happy to talk with the editorial staff about this issue. Had they contacted me prior to the publication of this misguided opinion, I am confident I could have helped them avoid embarrassing themselves by displaying their ignorance on an issue of such profound significance to South County.
Greg Sellers, Morgan Hill City Council Member VTA Board Member
Urge state politicians to adopt full coverage universal health care plan
Dear Editor,
Every day you can go online and read about young people, old people and everyone in between having to deal with problems with our health care system. There are stories of incredible pain, anguish, frustration and then there are stories that just warm you up all over and give you hope that we will someday will come to grips with this issue of humanity.
Yes, this is an issue of humanity. It is all about our human side, our values and who we are as a people. I am reminded of a posting on the net about this woman who was diagnosed with lupus and was immediately canceled from her health insurance plan. Denied by doctors, she managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and other alternatives. Over the next few years her pain grew worse, she finally got insurance and sought doctor's care. She did not realize that over the time period that she could not afford medical care her kidneys were damaged and now she requires a transplant and dialysis. Had she received the care early on, this could have been prevented. Now the cost for care is much higher and her life is in jeopardy and she is only 28 years old.
Her story is one of many thousands who find themselves making difficult choices. I have come to realize that health care is not an option. It is a right. We protect our citizens from terrorists and foreign invasion with armies, navies and the National Guard. Why can't we protect them from illness, sickness and other diseases? If we believe in equal protection under the law, then health care must be part of that protection and it is a protection that cannot be denied.
Yet the decision makers who run and are elected to office are oblivious to these serious needs. I can understand to some extent why. They are usually healthy, and protected by insurance and retirement plans that guarantees them lifelong care. Until they are introduced to the system, they really can't understand how bad the system really is. They don't know what it is like to be a part of the 45 million of uninsured because they are insured. They have no idea what it is like to be scared by every cough, upset stomach or lump that suddenly appears. They have no issue in using emergency because they know those costs will be taken care of and their family members the same. You get a different perspective when you realize that a trip to ER may cost you the home you live in. Over 60 percent of all personal bankruptcies are medically related.
The rest pretty much fall into the same oblivious category. Young and healthy we ignore health care. No not me, I won't get sick. I have my gym membership. I don't need health care; I am not concerned with health care; I won't support health care. It not a matter of if you will need health care it is only a matter of when. You will all need it at some time and sometimes it is sooner than you think.
Early on state Sen. Sheila Kuehl put together SB 840, a universal health care plan that would have provided health care for everyone in California. Everyone would pay into it and everyone would be covered. It passed both legislatures but was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Over the last year we have seen several butchered alternatives to the appeasement of the insurance companies. None of them worked and none of them will. It was like filling up your gas tank with a single gallon of gas when you needed 10 gallons to get you there.
Health care must be addressed by this governor or the next but it must be addressed soon. Over the next couple of years costs are forecasted to double. It will only mean that more people will be uninsured and those with health care will have to make difficult financial choices.
If you believe as I do that health care is a necessity just like all of the other necessities our society provides then health care is a right and we should all should be given that right.
Please join me in a continued effort to write to our elected officials and urge them to adopt a full coverage universal health care plan that meets all of our needs.
Mark Grzan, member Morgan Hill City Council
Thanks for positive 'Cheers' editorial
Dear Editor,
A big and sincere thank you goes out to your editorial board by being so positive on Tuesdays paper dated May 27, 2008 under "Our View." I'm sure the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras, Morgan Hill City Council and U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney all appreciate reading something upbeat for a change.
According to B.F. Skinner, positive reinforcement results in a better response as compared to negative reinforcement. I feel it is important to maintain strong, positive connections between organizations to help keep the small-town feel within a growing community. Thanks again and keep up the great work!
Nathan Benich, Morgan Hill
Careful examination of Bush/Cheney administration and truth needed
Dear Editor,
The White House response to "What Happened," Scott McClellan's book, points out the need for a careful check on truth and the administration.
Congress should revisit the 9/11 Commission Report now, so a truthful analysis can offset the spin presented by Bush, Cheney, Rice and McCain in September. There should be an investigation into the unanswered questions about 9/11.
Why didn't Bush, Rice, Cheney, et al pay attention to Richard Clarke when he constantly urged them to take aggressive action against al Qaeda January through September and was told our greatest danger was Iraq? What actions did the administration take in response to attack warnings in August? On 9/11 when Bush, Rice, Cheney, et al knew about the first hijacked plane 32 minutes before it hit the Trade Center, why were no fighters scrambled until after the third hijacked plane hit the Pentagon? The story Bush and McCain weave to try and keep the White House should be illuminated by the light of truth.
Frank Crosby, Morgan Hill
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Behind the brews: the origin and making of El Toro beers
