Letters to the editor: Feb. 10, 2010

Supreme Court right to protect free speech

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Citizens United vs FEC is a victory for free speech. Justice Antonin Scalia upheld the principle with the following observation: “The [First] Amendment is written in terms of ‘speech,’ not speakers. Its text offers no foothold for excluding any category of speaker, from single individuals to partnerships of individuals, to unincorporated associations of individuals, to incorporated associations of individuals.”

Many people have expressed concern that this ruling will allow “corporate interests” to subvert the democratic process. However, the protection of free speech is not the problem. The problem rests in how far we have allowed the federal government to stray from the specific powers delegated to it by the Constitution. Over the years, the federal government has steadily deviated from its constitutional duty to protect individual rights and property. Instead, it encroaches on individual liberty through wealth redistribution and its unconstitutional role in picking winners and losers.

Elections are incredibly expensive because so many factions are competing for federal largesse. For example, “Big Pharma” has worked with the Obama administration and Congress by bankrolling advertising in support of ObamaCare in return for government mandated requirements that would benefit their business.

As a candidate running for U.S. Congress in Colorado’s Second District, I am acutely aware of how essential campaign contributions are in supporting political speech. In my view, the protection of political speech is the primary object of the First Amendment. It is alarming that four of the nine Supreme Court justices are willing to toss our Constitution and liberties to the wind. Their actions are in direct violation of their oath to protect the Constitution. If we expect to preserve liberty while ensuring good government, we have to elect candidates who are committed to Constitutionally limited government and the protection of individual liberty.

Stephen Bailey,  Niwot

Politicans fat, happy, insured — what about us?

I have been working all my life, and yet, of the past 22 years, I only have had health care for only five. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was either rejected or couldn’t afford it.

I am not too old now, but I’m getting there. For the past 10 years, it was almost impossible to buy health care on my own, no matter the cost. Some smart guy, 10 years ago, entered in my chart “he might have” such and such disease. Which the years have proven I don’t have.

Yet, the word “diverticulitis” on your record is worse than the words “repeated sexual and criminal offender.” The word “diverticulitis” means that you will never get personal insurance.

Now I have been unemployed for one week.

I am looking at all the other 19developed countries in the world, many of which America has helped develop. None has such a terrible health-care situation, in which you pay for insurance for years and years, and then when you need it, they drop you, which can result in bankruptcy or losing your home. ; in which cherry pick only the young and healthy; in which it is so expensive, and yet so inefficient.

How is this possible, in the true America? How is it possible that all the politicians opposing our having health insurance actually have great health insurance — paid for by us, the taxpayers? How is it possible that our politicians have turned so much, and in such a criminal way, against us? Have they ever heard about “We, the People”? How come they are all so happy, and fat, and insured by us, but fight tooth and nail against us getting health insurance?

Nick Bacria,  Longmont

How, exactly, does Redflex make its money?

Thanks to the Ledger for your coverage of the proposed red-light photo issue the city council is considering.
I would caution the city on doing this. They may want to take a look at what is happening in Arizona. There is a big revolt against this type of traffic enforcement, mostly with the speed cameras. It has become a big embarrassment to government leaders. Lots of wasted time, energy and money. It is also my understanding that the actual collection on citations has been very low. How creditable and financially strong is Redflex? They have had some bad press in the past in other markets.

I suggest the Ledger look into how Redflex going to make its money if they are bearing all the costs of installation, monitoring and field calling. What is their take on the $75 or $40 fines? Could be a great follow-up article.

Scott Gillies,  Longmont

Reform agenda clear; now it’s time to act

I am retired and have been affected by the greed of big banks that brought down our financial system. We need legislation to stop this from reoccurring.

Education needs to be addressed. Our youth need to be educated in order for the U.S. to compete in today’s markets. This area needs financial aid as addressed by President Obama.

Our health-care system is in desperate trouble and will get worse if we do not act quickly on health care reform. The public option should be included in this revamping of health care.

Nuclear energy should receive Priority attention together with solar and wind implementation for energy sources.

Our roads, bridges and rail system desperately need upgrading.

If we implement these ideas, we put our people back to work. It will be a relief for our middle class and put our economy back on track.

Congress (especially senators) — do the right thing and act on these points. Republican “party of no” — get off it and think properly and wisely for the American public. We need to act now!

Diane Wood,  Longmont

There are limits to the greed we can endure

Curbing corruption is most important.

Lending for new businesses that promote clean energy and social welfare are most important.
An energy policy that promotes U.S. manufacturing and implementation of wind and solar should be of utmost importance.

By visiting nursing homes I’ve found the number of facilities not adequate; Baby Boomers are coming and complexes of dome facilities would be cost and energy efficient. Building them would promote more jobs and do the public a great service.

Corruption with hospital CEOs with their big salaries, just as with banks, has been ruining our health-care services.

There are limits to the greed we can endure.

Barbara Franc,  Longmont

Time to focus on buoying middle class

Have you noticed how out of whack many things are in our country? Most people don’t have time to think — they are working such long hours, or are burdened with so much medical paperwork, and whether employed or not are just trying to piece together their next meals, rent, or mortgage payments.

I was relieved that the president said in his State of the Union Address that he would focus on jobs, the cleaner-energy economy and health-care reform. I personally think he’s done a good job over the past year.

But now that the economy is stabilized, it is time to focus on reviving the middle class, which basically means lots of jobs with benefits or a national health plan of some sort. And to be sustainable economically and environmentally, the jobs need to be directed toward newer, smarter technologies.

I believe the president wants to bring about real, positive change, not the illusion of change amid sparring egos and scorched-earth tactics that leave the majority poorer and a few still raking in unearned profits.
Let’s take the chance we have with a positive, hard-working, super-smart president to lead us out the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into. He’s willing to listen to Republicans and Democrats alike and find middle ground.

I feel fortunate to have such a high-caliber person on every level as our president. Let’s help him help all of us out of this quagmire.

If we don’t do it now, we may not have the chance again in our lifetimes. The recent Supreme Court ruling will make it hard to Elect anyone who wants to give power to regular people.
Rebecca Meier,  Longmont

Too close on health care to give up

We have a 16-year-old daughter with Type 1 Diabetes. Right now she ison our family insurance.

But when she is out on her own, health care for herwill either be denied due to this pre-existing condition or extremelycostly. As an American, she has the right to the same health insuranceas other Americans without pre-exisiting conditions.

She was only 4years old when diagnosed with this devastating disease. She deals on adaily basis with injections and checking her blood sugars. Often,these are painful processes. This is a big responsibility for anyone, butthis has been her reality most of her life.

Now is the time to makeaffordable health care a reality for American citizens like Laura. Too many lives have been lost due to lack of health insurance. Thisis the closest this country has come to real health-care reform and weneed it — now.

Teresa and Wade Lichti, Longmont

Cannabis has a great, 4,000-year track record

If anyone does any legitimate research before condemning one of the world’s oldest and most widely used, and safest, medicines, they would know that marijuana helps millions of people experience tremendous relief from diseases such as glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and chronic pain, AIDS, cancer and even menstrual cramps.

I would also like to add that the term “narcosis” refers to someone who has been rendered unconscious by a general anesthetic, not someone under the mild effects of cannabis. Those who don’t know these things should turn their damning eyes away from the harmless medical-marijuana industry and direct them toward the pharmaceutical companies making record-breaking profits from the chemical addiction and death of hundreds of thousands of people, instead of condemning the elderly, para-and-quadriplegics, and the terminally ill.

And the fact remains that millions of people consume alcohol and hurt or kill themselves or others, while marijuana has yet to kill a single person, in more than 4,000 years of documented medical and recreational use.

Ben Fredricksmeyer, Longmont

Still smart to get your H1N1 flu shots

Since the 2009 H1N1 flu virus hit our shores, scientists, manufacturers, health providers, and health officials have worked together to protect the health of our community. Across the United States, over 110 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine are now available, with more doses becoming available each day. Now is the time to protect yourself and those around you by getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.

The traditional flu season is just beginning and typically lasts until May. History tells us to prepare for another serious wave of illness. With H1N1 flu declining in many areas, we have a window of opportunity to help prevent the flu from spreading further and causing even more illness, hospitalization, and death.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is safe, effective, and the best way to protect yourself and your family from the H1N1 flu. The vaccine is made the same way that seasonal flu vaccines are made every year. Extensive testing and monitoring have shown that the vaccine is not only safe, but it is also an excellent match for the H1N1 flu virus.

We especially encourage people with underlying health conditions, including pregnant women, children, young adults, caretakers of infants, and health-care workers, to get vaccinated against H1N1. Unlike the seasonal flu, H1N1 has hit children, young people, and adults under age 65 exceptionally hard. This is why we encourage you to get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible.

Fighting the flu is a shared responsibility. When you get vaccinated, you not only protect yourself and your family, but you help to protect our entire community by preventing the spread of the flu virus.

Jeff Zayach
Executive Director

Boulder County Public Health