Obama: Keep promise
Recently, the American Academy of Family Physicians, an organization of more than 94,600 family physicians, released survey findings indicating the devastating effects of the recession on their patients. The results are not surprising, but they are serious.
Nearly 90 percent of family physicians surveyed said their patients expressed problems paying for health care while 60 percent said they had seen more health problems caused by patients forgoing needed preventive care.
In my own practice I have observed patients develop blindness secondary to misguided insurance company pharmaceutical formulary decisions and I have seen insured patients struggle to assume the uncovered costs of therapeutic cardiac caetherization. The AAFP survey is further evidence of what I have seen in my own practice: Americans often defer health care during a recession.
This is why we need comprehensive health care reform that includes coverage for all Americans regardless of their employment status or socioeconomic status. To achieve this goal and provide better care for all Americans in a cost-efficient manner, we must move toward a health care system based on enhanced primary care.
It’s encouraging to see the Obama Administration and members of Congress pushing for health care reform this year. But we must hold them to their promise. Health care reform cannot wait, and primary care is the cornerstone of meaningful health care reform.
Michael Lambke
Skowhegan
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Maine will feel wrath
This is in response to Wolf Gray’s letter, “Cling to what is Good” (BDN, May 23-24).
The gay marriage law in Maine is condemned by God and He has a zero tolerance for it. He calls it an abomination. He prohibits homosexuality and has the death penalty for it. See Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. He totally destroys Sodom, Gomorrah by fire for this sin. He explains its genesis and reason in Romans 1:18-32.
Hell forever is the destiny of all people who don’t obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Enough of this hogwash of being intolerant, hateful, fear-mongers, bigots, narrow minded, spiteful, unloving, etc.
The state has the authority to represent God in the affairs of governance. Passing laws that contradict God’s laws brings His just wrath.
Elmer Morin
Limestone
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Time’s up, George
In his May 28 column (“Keep justice and justices colorblind”), George Will seems to agree with (former) Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell that “race can be a plus factor for certain government-preferred minorities.” But then Will seems to argue for a time limit on the use of such “plus factors.” Will’s time limits aren’t linked to anything like changes in societal attitudes or behavior that would render such factors unnecessary. Rather, he seems to argue for the imposition of arbitrary time frames such as the 25-year limit suggested by (former) Justice Sandra Day O’Connor — regardless of whether the factors still serve a useful purpose.
I have a better idea. Why don’t we just put parking meters in front of the Supreme Court, and when the meters’ time is up, the justices all have to go home — regardless of whether they’ve finished their work. And while we’re at it, let’s put one in front of George Will’s office.
Lawrence Reichard
Bangor
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Time to act on climate
Scientific evidence has proved that climate change is happening now and humans are responsible for much of the problem. The consequences of inaction could be catastrophic for the global economy, our environment, and our future.
As Sen. Collins said to the graduating class at Unity College’s commencement, “sitting on the sidelines cannot be an option.” This is true not only for students, but for any citizen. Sen. Collins’ view on this issue should inspire more citizens of Maine to act. I am doing my part by being an active student and I feel it is time for our state representatives to do their part by fully supporting strong climate legislation.
Our Maine senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, have often been powerful advocates for clean, efficient energy in Congress, even in the face of political pressure from their own party. I hope they push for policies that will cap greenhouse gas emissions to science-based levels without creating loopholes and giveaways for polluters.
I am counting on their support to stop the climate crisis and green our economy. My hope is based on their previous support of environmental causes and their recent statements about the responsibility of each one of us to create a more sustainable future.
I am sure that my voice is representing the youth of Maine when I say that I am expecting the senators to follow through with their commitments to the environment.
Nina Wish
Bar Harbor
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Obesity and responsibility
It amazes me to read letters from health care professionals about the amount of money obesity costs our society. What’s amazing is that nowhere is anything said about the personal responsibility each and every one of us has to keep ourselves healthy.
Forcing restaurants to label foods served will not help. There will always be people who will eat as they choose and blame others for their bad dietary decisions. If you could stamp dietary info on each and every mouthful, people would still eat it.
The warning label system used on tobacco products doesn’t work. In reality, smoking cessation has come about due to the large amount of taxes added to the products, putting them out of reach for many. Maybe the state should start charging an ”unhealthy fat” tax on fast food or possibly a mandatory workout before a customer is allowed to leave. That would be the Maine way. We surely can’t ask people to look after themselves.
Steve Crouse
Patten
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Upgrade the weapons
Many people are currently looking for ways to help our troops as they defend our freedom on far-off battlefields. One way that would save American lives while also reducing the number of civilian casualties is ignored repeatedly by our leaders. That way is to upgrade the caliber of the weapons our troops carry, and there is already an inexpensive way to upgrade the weapons and our troops’ capability.
Please write to your representative and senators and ask them to help provide the necessary funds to upgrade their weapons to the 6.8 Remington caliber. This increases the ability of our troops to engage the enemy at longer ranges with more accuracy. This would serve to reduce the need for air strikes, especially in Afghanistan where combat tends to occur at longer ranges where the current M16 round is ineffective.
If we can afford billions of dollars to build shiny new planes we don’t need, we should be able to help those brave young Americans at the tip of the spear.
PJ Yost
Bangor