Letters to the editor: Medicare for all, demonstrations, Boise, libraries
Medicare for all
Let’s take a serious look at the idea of Medicare for all. Yes, you have heard the horror stories about the cost. But they are lies. They are lies spread by politicians that receive vast amounts from private owned hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. Right now if you google it you will see that in America we spend on average $10,000 per person for health care, and we are rated as 37th in the world for health care. Yet, in France they spend $5,000 a year and they are rated number one.
There have been two studies that show that with Medicare for all you would save $2 trillion over 10 years, another study showed $5 trillion savings over 10 years. You might be asking how we pay for it. How about a $50 per month premium per person. Why don’t we change Social Security and Medicare tax and apply it to 100% of both earned and unearned income. You could probably then have Social Security at 5% and Medicare at 3%. You could even incorporate the V.A. into this program.
Now if you want to keep your present insurance do so. It’s your money.
Jerry Johnson, Payette
Special Session vs. Add the Words
House Speaker Scott Bedke was right when he said it was not “apples to apples” when comparing the melee at the Special Session of the Legislature with the “Add the Words” demonstrations a few years ago. Let’s compare:
Demonstrators’ Damage to Property
• Special Session – Yes
• Add the Words – No
Demonstrators Pushing Past the Police
• Special Session – Yes
• Add the Words – No
Crowd Behavior
• Special session – Screaming, shoving, ramming
• Add the Words – Quiet, respectful
Arrests on 1st Day of Demonstrations
• Special Session – None
• Add the Words – 44
Total Arrests
• Special Session – Handful
• Add the Words – 122
Demonstrators with Guns
• Special Session – Yes
• Add the Words – No
The Legislature has the power to control parts of the Capitol and direct the Idaho State Police to make arrests. So here is the recipe to all citizens who want to enjoy special consideration for their grievances: (1) be as belligerent as possible to both the legislators and the police, and (2) carry guns so you create an element of danger.
Jeannette C. Bowman, Boise
Boise
Our grandson is a senior at Boise State University, so we have visited your city several times over the past three years. Every time we leave, we remark about the cleanliness of your city. You all should be proud — it’s obvious the citizens and city (leaders) take a great deal of pride in Boise.
Judy Hirsch, Lincoln, California
Beacons of light
Steve and his wonderful staff at the Eagle Public Library have worked diligently amid the current pandemic to maximize customer usage. Due to “recent incidents,” they have had to close off browsing and related services.
Please spread kindness and understanding these days, whether going to the library, grocery store, or other places. We all are navigating rocky shoals, but we are all learning more every day about our respective strengths and capabilities.
It is my fervent hope that beacons of light, including our libraries, can continue to enlighten us on our diverse journeys through life.
Paul Lindauer, Boise