Letters to the Editor - February 17

Vote Ralph Nader for president: Why not?
 

“Some people see things as they are and ask, ‘Why?’ I see things as they can be and ask, ‘Why not?’ ” So said Bobby Kennedy once.

So why not Ralph Nader for president? We should have voted him in the first time. After four years of Obama and eight years of Bush, our only conclusion should be we told each other so. So let’s finally vote in Ralph Nader!

I mean, Ralph’s been observing these clowns inside our Capitol’s Beltway for over 40 years now and if anyone really knows what they’ve been up to, it’s Ralph.

And there would be no gridlock with President Nader. Imagine someone trying to hold up the people’s agenda in Congress with Ralph Nader as president? He’d be better than Mark Twain at ridiculing them in their own districts — getting their constituents to demand action on behalf of the American people, instead of some sorry excuses about why they can’t go to work for us again.

Our country was started on “No taxation without representation!” folks — yet we continue to accept higher tax rates and not getting the representation we pay our members of Congress and president for!

And Ralph can count, unlike Congress and the last several presidents. Take health care. No, really. Take American health care and ask what Ralph asks. Why aren’t we consumers getting more for our our premium dollars? As Ralph says, look at “the millions of individual bills that make up the $2.7 trillion of annual health-care costs (which) opens a window on the massive waste, redundancy, profiteering, fraud and sometimes criminal overbilling.”

And, as Ralph observes:

“Americans continue to spend more on health care than patients anywhere else. In 2009, we spent $7,960 per person, twice as much as France, which is known for providing very good health services. And for all that spending, we get very mixed results — some superb, some average, some inferior — compared with other advanced nations.

“Moreover, France, Germany, Italy, England, Canada, Belgium, Sweden and all other western countries plus Japan and Taiwan cover almost all their citizens, unlike the U.S., where 50 million people are uninsured.”

Mr. Nader was also right about better regulation of banks before they almost went belly up and went crying to Uncle Sam’s taxpayers for another bailout.

Ralph Nader can count. Ralph Nader is honest. He knows the issues and why Congress has become corrupt. He won’t take any bribes and he will tell us the truths we all need to know. And he knows how to put pressure on a Congress that no longer knows or cares how to lead nor how to behave to best protect the interests of the people.

America needs someone who is brave, smart, not on the take and sincere about making our Democracy work for all Americans — not just the rich, not just incumbent politicians, not just people who wish to continue to waste the trillions in tax dollars we send to D.C. each year as they continue exporting our jobs and industries to offshore locales, destroying what little is left of our communities and our family and personal security.

Don’t make me say “I told you so” again. This year, vote Ralph Nader for president.

Alan DiCara, former Winchester selectman
Winsted

 

Relay for Life touches everyone
This letter is to all the parents and caregivers of young people, and young people too. I am a firm believer in finding an opportunity at every corner for youth to participate in activities that will expand their understanding of the world. Young people don’t know what’s out there for them — so it takes adults to be their flashlight.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of the Northwest Hills CT is an annual event. For the past 10 years we have held the Relay at the Regional 7 High School track in Winsted.

Now, for those of you who haven’t attended a relay, let me first tell you that you’ve been missing out on a memorable experience that touches the lives of everyone.

Surprisingly enough, you don’t need to be in great physical shape to participate. There is no race on the track. The idea is to form or join a team and raise money that’s used for research to find a cure for cancer.

By having team members take a one-hour commitment to stay on the track during the overnight event, it reminds us that cancer never sleeps. We must continue to celebrate life, remember those who have fought and fight back so that someday there may be a cure.

Here is where young people can get involved. There are at least a dozen subcommittees working in tandem to put this event together. I’ve been told that some organizations ask that their members do community service as a way of helping others out. Here is a golden opportunity.

We are seeking budding journalists, photographers, event planners, web page gurus, logistics people, food and entertainment aficionados, etc. You get the idea. We need their volunteer help. In return, they will work with a chairperson to gain knowledge about what it takes to put on a big public event. Visit www.relayforlife.org or www.cancer.org to find a relay near you.

Julie Keating
Torrington

 

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