Sequim Gazette Editorial and Letters to the Editor

There are choices

After an experience at Olympic Medical Center emergency room, where my daughter was told that an MRI would be needed but that their radiology department was not open, I learned that Peninsula Medical Imaging was in fact open and could have seen her. Apparently the hospital does not refer out of their own facility.

She was seen at CliniCare the next day, a Saturday; they called Peninsula Medical Imaging and she received her MRI immediately.

So folks, remember, you have a right to request services at PMI as their hours extend past those offered by OMC.

LaVonne Gori

Port Angeles



Higher tax

won't help

No, heck no, to a sales tax increase in the city of Sequim to pay for roads/lighting.

Voters/residents, defeat this again.

You all did it before; we need to send a message to this out-of-control council that we refuse to pay more in taxes.

And according to council member Susan Lorenzen, this increase will be "painless." No, it's not going to be.

This council needs to curb spending in all areas including not paying the city manager over $100,000.

I do not want to pay a sales tax of 8.6 percent in Sequim.

Everyone in this nation is suffering with not having enough income to pay for the following: income taxes, sales taxes, energy, water, sewer bills.

And having to pay a higher sales tax on goods is not going to help.

Noelle Levesque

Sequim



We deserve better

The need for health care reform is no longer an option. The lobbying efforts of the AMA and health care insurance industry have made it prohibitive for many Americans. For those who defend them, it's just a matter of time before you will be unable to afford it as well.

I use the malaria epidemic in some African countries as an example. The health of any nation resides in its people. When the people are sick, they do not produce. This is partly why these countries are still third world. The control and eradication of this dread disease is paramount before those African nations can surmount third world status.

Unfortunately, the AMA and insurance companies have become that parasite on the American people. Until control and eradication procedures are instituted on those two groups' lobbies, the American people don't stand a chance. Without reform, we may also be knocking on depression's door.

Because of the irresponsibility of the Bush administration, we are also saddled with obscene debt. It has to be paid for. This is the reality. All the complaining in the world about taxes will not make it disappear. The burden of our health care system is 13-14 percent of our GDP, yet we are 50th or so down the line in health care quality.

This is inexcusable. We deserve better. I urge you all to contact your elected officials and demand reform before it's too late.

Karl G. Matsunaga

Sequim



The longest 15 minutes

As temperatures soar around the Pacific Northwest, people should be mindful not to leave dogs in parked cars. Even on a 73-degree day, the inside of a parked car can reach around 100 degrees in 10 minutes and 120 degrees in 30 minutes. Dogs can succumb to heatstroke - which can result in brain damage or death - in just 15 minutes.

If you see a dog left in a car, get the car's color, model, make and license plate number and have the owner paged inside the store or call local humane authorities or police - you may be the dog's only hope.

Signs of heatstroke include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting or lack of coordination. If an animal shows any of these symptoms, move him or her to shade immediately and call a veterinarian.

Visit www.HelpingAnimals.com for more lifesaving tips on safeguarding animals during hot weather.

Heather Moore

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Norfolk, VA



Fun at the market

The members of Olympic Driftwood Sculptors would like to thank the Sequim Open Aire Market for their generous use of the community booth on Saturday, June 27. We had great fun demonstrating driftwood sculpture techniques and visiting with people. We also had a very successful day selling handmade driftwood wreaths and raffle tickets for twig wreaths. The ambience and community spirit at the market is truly exciting. We look forward to participating again next year.

Geri Smith, secretary,

for members of Olympic Driftwood Sculptors



Dicks and health care

Walt Schubert was able to summarize a major problem with our health care system in his letter of July 29 when he wrote that many people in Sequim have to choose between health care and food. And isn't it a shame that the wealthiest country in the world has left too many of its citizens in just this place where they do have to make choices between these two essential elements of life?

When he wrote to Norm Dicks, he should have insisted that Congress do something to solve this problem instead of urging him to block it. To Norm Dicks' credit he signed on to HB 676, the single payer plan or Medicare for All Bill. In order for senior citizens as well as young working families to not have to face that tragic choice between food and health care, we need a single payer program.

By insisting that our Representative stand in the way of health care reform Walt Schubert has shown himself to be the kind of political leader who does not want to try to solve the problems of his constituency.

Carlyn Syvanen

Sequim



Don't pull the

trigger prematurely



On July 29, Walt Schubert wrote that he asked our representative, Norm Dicks, to vote against health care reform. But on July 29, Norm had nothing to vote on; the bill was stuck in committee.

Unless we're inalterably opposed to change, wisdom suggests we wait and see what Norm actually has to vote on before advising him to vote against it.

Senior citizens are frightened by the daily flood of scary propaganda from interests opposed to health care reform. Running for re-election, perhaps Walt succumbed to that propaganda and his premature letter is calculated to show us he's with us.

Walt says, "If this plan is good for our seniors, then it should be the standard and apply to Congress members as well." Not a bad idea.

The Federal Employee Health Benefits Program covers Congress members. They can choose among nine different insurance companies offering several different options, but it isn't free. The monthly premium for family plans ranges from $675 to $1,165. Participants pay $169 to $356 per month while their employer, the federal government, pays the balance. Senior federal retirees in this program pay the same premiums in addition to their Medicare premiums.

I don't know if this letter makes me a "demon worshipping true believer," as our editor described on July 29, but I am a true believer in rational analysis based on facts. I do my best to learn the facts so I don't pull the trigger prematurely and go off half-cocked.

Roy F. Wilson

Sequim