Dear Editor, I never agree with all the answers given by the
board of the Morgan Hill Times’ ‘Around the Water Cooler’ weekly
question. When you think about it, it is impossible to because the
question always asks you to take sides.
Around the Water Cooler response was disheartening at best

Dear Editor,

I never agree with all the answers given by the board of the Morgan Hill Times’ ‘Around the Water Cooler’ weekly question. When you think about it, it is impossible to because the question always asks you to take sides. But the answers and reasons given for their position are always thoughtful at least until the Dec. 10, 2010 ‘Around the Water Cooler’ question “Do you agree with the Arizona Medicaid Officials’ decision to discontinue payment for many transplant procedures?.”

I can’t believe that one person’s answer was ‘Only if it assures tax cuts for incomes over $250,000.’ Mr. Bert Berson is entitled to his answer, but let’s think about what he really said. People have medical transplants to save their lives: heart, liver or perhaps a lung or a kidney but Mr. Berson said that if they are poor and can’t afford to pay for the operation let them die so that his taxes can be reduced.

It is disheartening to hear such an answer and thought at this season. Perhaps the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future should visit Mr. Berson. A heart that is that stone cold could do with these visitors so he can see the people who will die so he can save on his taxes.

The families impacted by the lost of a love one and the lives that will be forever changed. It worked for Mr. Scrooge but I’m not sure it would for Mr. Berson.

Mr. Dickens would be appalled – but perhaps not surprised – to find that 200-plus years after he wrote of the horrors and attitudes of those times that they still exist in the 21st century. ‘If they are going to die, let them do it quickly.’ Yes Mr. Berson, there are still people dying because they are poor and yes there are still some people who are selfish enough to count their money while it’s happening.

Merry Christmas Mr. Berson.

Allen J. Palmer, Morgan Hill

Editor’s note: It was, of course, sarcasm, according to Berson. “When the issue is so repugnant to me there is no place to go except to at least attempt humor,” he said. “I was concerned that someone who didn’t know me might take it wrong. I guess someone did.”

‘Hope and Change’ has become ‘Nope and Shame’

Dear Editor,

We are about as far away from the next election as we can get so maybe it’s time for a real open discussion. I question if Obama has what it takes to be president.

It’s not just the latest tax deal that is stupid beyond belief. It’s not just stupid – it’s Sarah Palin stupid!

While I agree that America needed a stimulus two years ago when we were losing a million jobs a month, the job losses have stopped. We now run the risk of creating a welfare economy on borrowed money. The deficit is VERY SERIOUS and we can’t keep just borrowing money to keep America in denial. We are going to lose America and our freedom over this.

Obama describes Republicans as “Terrorist” and “Hostage Takers” – which I agree with. What the Republicans are doing is treason! However, he is saying that we have to cave into the hostages takers. That on it’s face is so damn stupid that you’d think Sarah Palin was already president. The message that statement says is that America caves into terrorists and that the Democrats cave into terrorists. Talk about sending the wrong message not only to Americans, but to the real terrorists. “Yes we can” is now “No we can’t.” Hope and Change is now Nope and Same.

Cutting the Social Security tax will bankrupt Social Security. That’s the Republican’s wet dream to kill Social Security. And for what? To kick the can down the road for two more years? We’re stealing from Social Security to fund our national denial.

The Bush tax cuts along with two unnecessary wars has bankrupted America. How are we going to fix the problem if we keep doing what caused the problem? If we want to stop the economic collapse then end the Bush tax cuts and end Bush’s wars and we’re practically there.

America did just fine with the Bill Clinton tax rates when he was president. I would pay a lot more taxes if they go up, but I just can’t live the lie anymore. Yeah, it’s going to hurt but it has to hurt. Bush ruined the economy and we need to feel the karma of our mistakes rather than to pretend it’s all just fine.

I could go on but what’s the point. This alone is sufficient for me to lose confidence. And if the Democratic party caves in too then they share in the stupidity.

Sorry, I just can’t pretend what’s happening is OK anymore. This is INSANITY! It’s time to get real. If we turn our back on reality then reality will turn it’s back on us. It has to stop and it has to stop NOW!

Marc Perkel, Gilroy

Previous articleBOYS BASKETBALL: Holiday break comes at good time
Next articleWarren Jiro Hayashi

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here