01/30/2007

Letters to the Editor

Impeachment cheaper?

I support Sen. Levin and other Senate and congressional representatives' multi-faceted efforts to derail the Bush/Cheney escalation of the war on Iraq and to demand congressional approval before mounting any attack against Iran or Syria.

Although the executive branch dismisses overwhelming public disapproval of the war and ignores military advisors' skepticism over a surge in forces, its anticipated discounting of the upcoming bipartisan vote of no-confidence for the latest war plans should be the last strike.

At that point I urge our representatives to cut all funding for the war, except those necessary to accomplish a six-month withdrawal of U.S. forces and to cover the Veterans Administration Health Care system for all military veterans.

We cannot recoup the $344 billion spent on this disaster since 2001, but we surely can put the anticipated Iraq war price tag of $8.4 billion a month for this year to much better use. How much would impeachment cost?

Marian Kromkowski
Suttons Bay

It comes down to respect

Recent crime reports have indicated the increase in violence of teenage girls (mean girls). One conclusion of the causes was the girls' lack of respect for others. One solution was for adults to be better role models by showing more respect for others themselves.

On one of the recent network news programs, Deputy White House Press Secretary Dana Perino referred to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi simply as "Pelosi,” not Speaker Pelosi. That shows a lack of respect for the office of the Speaker. Whether or not Ms. Perino likes Speaker Pelosi, she and the White House, should show more respect for the office of the Speaker.

Of course, it works the other way too. The office of the President should be treated with respect, whatever one's feelings are toward the holder of that office.

I learned in my 28 years in the military service and the civil service that, whatever my personal feelings were toward an individual superior or supervisor, it was important to show respect for their rank or position.

If we adults would show more respect toward each other, maybe some of that respect would rub off onto our teenagers, both female and male?

John Husted
Inland Township

VA not always a benefit

Those of you who utilize the Veterans Administration system for prescription drugs and have a co-payment may not be receiving any benefit at all and, in fact, may be paying far more than if you purchased your drugs at your local pharmacy. Let me explain.

My co-payment for a 90-day supply of two common, generic blood pressure medications from the VA is $48.

I called my downtown pharmacy for a price check. They quoted me a price of $15.40 for one and $12 for the other for a total of $27.40. That is $20.60 less than for the so-called VA benefit. This is because VA charges $8 per 30-day supply for each prescription regardless of cost.

This places some veterans in the position of subsidizing their fellow veterans who are receiving more expensive prescriptions. Haven't we sacrificed and given enough?

I think a more fair approach is to be given a choice of co-payment or cost, whichever is less.

Contact your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate and ask them to change this unfair policy.

In the meantime, check all the prices of your prescriptions locally and don't expect a monetary thank you for your service.

James A. Kulczyk
Traverse City