• You’re just afraid your taxes will go up • Proud Gramma • Mahalo for caring • Remain vigilant You’re just afraid your taxes will go up In response to my letter to the editor (May 5), Gordon Oswald (May
• You’re just afraid your taxes will go
up • Proud Gramma • Mahalo for
caring • Remain vigilant
You’re just afraid your taxes will go up
In response to my letter to the editor (May 5), Gordon Oswald (May 9) responds that “health care” is not a “right.”
What is a “right”?
Mr. Oswald’s letter made me ask myself that question. It led to several hours of wandering around the web.
Hoping to avoid a long philosophical and epistemological discussion, the best short response I can offer is that a “right” is demanded by the individual and granted by the group. Sometimes a right may be documented, as in the Bill of Rights, sometimes it is defined as inherent, as the right to life. In any case, a right cannot be separated from the struggle to obtain it.
So why is health care a “right”? Because our current method of healthcare delivery is broken. People are aware, that despite the extravagant insurance premiums, insurance company “death panels” are refusing care for the flimsiest of excuses so that the company CEO can be paid billions of dollars — and that ‘just ain’t right’.
Senator Bernie Sanders’ article in the UK Guardian, “Healthcare is a Human Right,” opens with: “The United States is the only major nation in the industrialized world that does not guarantee healthcare as a right to its people. Meanwhile, we spend about twice as much per capita on healthcare and, in a wide number of instances, our outcomes are not as good as others that spend far less.”
Mr. Oswald says that the government is not capable of administering something as complicated as Universal Healthcare. Considering the price I pay for my health insurance and the fact that the administrative costs for some insurance companies is in excess of 20 percent; and then contrasting that with the 3-4 percent overhead for Medicare, I’d say the government is doing a pretty good job.
If Mr. Oswald wants to point to the disaster that is Medicare Part D (the prescription drug benefit), I agree with him. But I want to remind him that the Republicans passed that bill severely limiting the government’s ability to negotiate drug prices with the purpose of bankrupting the USA. It is working.
It isn’t about “me”. I have health insurance (although it is expensive). It is about “everyone”. Healthcare is a right for every person. Everyone has the right to be well.
Mr. Oswald, on the other hand, is afraid that his taxes are going to go up.
John Zwiebel, Kalaheo
Proud Gramma
With all the violence and negativity going on all around us I wanted to bring to light some of the many good things going on around us.
Kalaheo Elementary School’s Drama Club put on an excellent, brilliant performance that was enjoyed by many friends and families April 29-30 and May 6-7.
Directed very professionally by Ms. Marly Madayag, and her exceptionally talented students. I had the pleasure of attending for the very first time, mostly because my grand-daughter Maegan was one of the very talented cast of characters.
As soon as the play started I was completely amazed at how much talent our children have and how much love and support all their parents poured into it. The stage set was so professionally done and each scene change done so well that it just blended all together.
It was very clear at how much hours of practice every participant, on and off stage, had to endure to put on a very perfectly tuned show. Bravo to everyone involved in putting on this very mesmerizing show, especially Ms. Madayag, job well done! Disney would be proud at how well it was done!
Darlene Soares, Kalaheo
Mahalo for caring
On behalf of the Kaua‘i Humane Society, I wish to extend a heartfelt mahalo to everyone who made our annual dinner and silent auction, Hawai‘i Fid-O, a huge success.
Each and every day, our super-human staff, volunteers, and board of directors work tirelessly on behalf of Kaua‘i’s animals and the families that love them. It is the overwhelming support and generosity of our community and donors that make our vital adoption and rescue work possible.
In spite of challenging times, businesses donate goods and services to our silent auction. In spite of challenging times, companies sponsor our event. In spite of challenging times, supporters purchase tickets and make donations. We are forever grateful.
Thank you to all the kind, loving people of Kaua‘i that compassionately care for Kaua‘i’s animals.
Laura Wiley, KHS President
Remain vigilant
I can not understand why one must have to see proof of Bin Laden’s death.
Doesn’t he/she know the effect it can cause by adding more wood to the fire? Insisting to see the photo of Bin Laden’s death can put us as Americans in harms way for more terroristic attacks here at home in America.
Does he/she has to see and know every gory details of Bin Laden’s death. When people insist of these kind (photos, etc.) of gory proof of someone’s death.
Doesn’t that make him/she a sadist? Does he/she have enjoyment in seeing dead horror photos of people? The man is dead. It’s not only confirmed by President Obama, but by al-Qaida too.
Just be vigilant and report any suspicious acts around you.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
