Looking out only for No. 1
Something the Republicans have accomplished, perhaps intentionally, is to get many Americans to believe we are a country of the individual. It is a strange accomplishment, for it isolates and alienates far more than an idea like “for the people” promotes. Ironically, Republicans want us also to believe we are that singular nation of, by, and for the people.
There may be no better way to see this than through the GOP’s “work” on health care reform. Their plan will leave 22 million more citizens without health insurance in the name of “better.” The problem is captured in the July 11 BDN editorial, saying “the [Affordable Care Act’s] individual mandate has prompted too many healthy people to decide it is easier to pay the penalty rather than buy health insurance.”
There it is: Because people only look out for No. 1, being penalized supersedes participation. Republicans have us believing it is not an American value to consider the welfare of the community — we should only do what is best for us as individuals.
This is a shame and a misreading of history. So much of the goodness that has been America incorporates more and more people into the fabric of our nation — it doesn’t segregate. We once saw into our darker natures and made changes that freed and enfranchised, welcomed and encouraged all to be Americans. Now we see a party promote the ideas of discrete individualism. A beacon has been extinguished.
Ben Graffam
Bangor
Women are excellent sailors
I strongly concur with Harold W. Borns Jr.’s argument in his July 17 BDN letter to the editor that women excel at sailing. I had a business colleague who raced a Sabre 28 as crew for his wife, who also owned the boat. I also have a neighbor who skippers an Ensign with her husband as crew. My daughter and granddaughter are excellent sailors.
However, the U.S. Naval Academy yawls used in intercollegiate competitions are 44 feet. They were designed by Luders first and later by Pearson.
Stephen Rhoades
Sargentville
Reconsider the public option
U.S. Sen. John McCain experienced a health issue, a blood clot, that required immediate surgery to ensure a good outcome. Thankfully, he has health insurance that covers his care — health care made possible by the citizens of the United States who pay taxes to cover salaries and benefits of our elected officials.
Ironically, the Republican Party does not support the same coverage for the citizens they serve. The cost of health care will be unaffordable for the vast majority of Americans if the Republican health care proposal in Congress succeeds. Although the Affordable Care Act, implemented during the Obama administration, expanded coverage to millions of American, for some it still was unaffordable. A major reason the Affordable Care Act is unaffordable for some Americans is because the Republican Party blocked the addition of a third option for insurance, which was the public option.
The Affordable Care Act is a solid starting point toward providing health care coverage for all Americans. It does need to be tweaked by reconsidering the public option among other things. The Republicans, Democrats and independent members of Congress have an obligation to provide the American people with access to quality health care.
Mary Tedesco-Schneck
Bangor
Proper flag display
I applaud the Fort Kent Town Council for its decision to discontinue the display of the U.S. flag banners. I only wish they are removed sooner. The July 20 BDN article didn’t really explain what the problem is, and seeing only one side of the two-sided banners in the photo does nothing to clarify that.
The problem is that the U.S. flags (at least, on the side depicted in the BDN photo) are displayed “backward” (akin to the alluded-to “upside down”), with the canton (the blue field with the white stars) appearing on the viewer’s right. According to Section 175(h) of the U.S. Flag Code, the canton should be the “first thing to strike the viewer’s eye” (whether displayed vertically or horizontally), on the viewer’s left (the flag’s own right). The only time a U.S. flag is properly displayed with the canton on the right is when it is covering the casket of a deceased service member or veteran, so that the canton is over the heart of the casket’s deceased occupant.
It’s unfortunate that those who ordered the banners or that the company producing them did not research the issue a bit more, but the council is totally right in its decision to discontinue the banners’ display.
Senior Master Sgt. Michael P. Gleason
U.S. Air Force, retired
Bangor
Every American deserves better care
I thank U.S. Sen. John McCain for his military and government service to our country. His sacrifice during his time as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam stands as one of the most courageous acts of that war.
His medical needs since then have been met by the best health care available in America, accessed through the Veterans Administration and Senate health insurance.
Considering his history of cancer and the injuries suffered as a POW, he is a very lucky man. The average American perhaps would not be so fortunate. Without his wealth and the access to top-shelf medical care that his health insurance plans provide, he might not be alive today.
On behalf of the parents and siblings of veterans, most of whom do not have the same access to affordable health care, I hope he reconsiders his support for slashing Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Every American, no matter how humble, deserves better.
Does he not see the hypocrisy of the delay of the vote on the Republican health care plan so that he — the beneficiary of such excellent health insurance provided, for which taxpayers cover more than 70 percent of the cost — can vote to take away health care benefits from those of us who are no less American, no less hard working, and more likely to send our sons and daughters into harm’s way than the wealthy beneficiaries of the enormous tax cuts contained in the Senate health care bill?
Donna Twombly
Eagle Lake